Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic continues to dazzle the NBA with his remarkable triple-double streak, setting the stage for a potentially historic matchup against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.
After an impressive performance against the Chicago Bulls, where he racked up 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 14 assists in a commanding 127-92 victory, Doncic extended his streak to seven consecutive triple-doubles. The Mavericks dominated the game from the start, leading 44-16 at the end of the first quarter and never looking back. Their defensive prowess limited the Bulls to their lowest scoring total against the Mavericks this season, with only 92 points scored, marking the second time a team failed to reach 95 points and the fourth time under 100 against Dallas.
Doncic’s record-setting streak of 30-point triple-doubles was narrowly missed as he checked out of the game early in the fourth quarter due to the lopsided score. Nevertheless, his performance surpassed NBA legend Russell Westbrook in the history books. With 17 triple-doubles this season, Doncic remains among the league leaders in this category, trailing only Domantas Sabonis and Nikola Jokic.
The Slovenian sensation is on the verge of breaking his own franchise record for the most triple-doubles in a single season, set during the 2019-20 campaign. Additionally, Doncic’s streak currently ties for the third-longest in NBA history, and he shares the record for the most consecutive 25-point triple-doubles with legends Michael Jordan and Oscar Robertson. However, Doncic remains focused on leading the Mavericks to victories rather than chasing individual statistics, as noted by Mavs coach Jason Kidd.
In their recent victory over the Bulls, the Mavericks also witnessed historic performances from Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford, who both scored over 20 points while shooting an incredible 95.0 percent or better from the field. Gafford’s remarkable streak of 28 consecutive made field goals sets a new record in the play-by-play era, positioning him within striking distance of Wilt Chamberlain’s legendary mark of 35 consecutive made shots.
As the Mavericks embark on a three-game winning streak, they currently hold the eighth spot in the competitive Western Conference standings. With just a slim margin separating them from higher-ranked teams, including the Golden State Warriors, who will be without star player Stephen Curry due to injury, the Mavericks aim to capitalize on this opportunity to secure a crucial victory.
In their previous encounter earlier this season, Doncic led the Mavericks to a decisive victory over the Warriors, showcasing his prowess with 39 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds. With Curry sidelined, the Warriors will rely on collective contributions to fill the void left by their leading scorer, emphasizing the need for aggression and adaptability, as highlighted by Chris Paul.
As the Mavericks and Warriors prepare for their highly anticipated showdown, all eyes will be on Doncic’s quest for greatness and the Warriors’ ability to overcome adversity in the absence of Curry, promising an exhilarating clash of basketball titans in Wednesday night’s NBA action.