The Dallas Mavericks are currently obliterating the Golden State Warriors on national television (ESPN). Dallas took a 74-38 lead into halftime, and were led by second-year sensation Luka Doncic.
In 17 minutes played, Doncic scored 33 points, had six assists, and had five rebounds in 17 minutes played. He went 10-of-11 on field goals and drained six-of-seven three-pointers. With under two minutes to go in the half, the Warriors had 31 points and Doncic had 29. Ultimately, the Warriors were able to outscore Doncic 38-33.
But the Warriors weren’t able to top Doncic in any major category in the first quarter. The Slovenian had more points (22), rebounds (five), and assists (five) than the Warriors in the first quarter. He’s the first NBA player to do all of those things to a team in one quarter since Allen Iverson did it to the Chicago Bulls in 2003.
Doncic was pulled for the night with the Mavericks up 45 points in the third quarter. He finished with a triple-double — 35 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists — in 25 minutes. Nobody has ever done that.
Doncic only continues to get better, and there’s no reason to think he won’t stay in the NBA MVP race all season long.