Thanks in large part to a record-setting performance from Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks managed to dispatch the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night in overtime fashion.
Doncic logged 44 minutes in Tuesday's 114-110 win, scoring 34 points on 12-of-24 shooting from the field (2-of-6 from beyond the arc), a whopping 20 rebounds (career-high), 12 assists and two blocks. According to ESPN Stats & Info, the Slovenian-born star is now the youngest player in NBA history to post a 30-point, 20-rebound triple-double. Oscar Robertson held the previous mark at 23 years, 12 days.
Luka Doncic finished with 34 Points, 20 Rebounds and 12 Assists. He became the first Mavs player to have a 30-Pt/20-Reb/10-Ast Triple-Double.
He also became the youngest player with a 30-point, 20-rebound triple-double in NBA history (21 years, 158 days old). pic.twitter.com/2ArI1BabZB
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 4, 2020
Interestingly, there was a time when the Kings had a real shot at drafting Doncic. However, reports indicate that general manager and VP of basketball operations Vlade Divac passed on Luka in the 2018 NBA Draft for personal reasons. Sacramento had the No. 2 pick that year, which they used to select Marvin Bagley III. Now, a couple of years later, it seems Luka Doncic has the Kings' number every time they play.
Luka Dončić has played pretty well against the Sacramento Kings this season, especially in road games. pic.twitter.com/xmzK2UHnl7
— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) August 5, 2020
Apparently, Vlade was not a fan of Luka's father:
“My understanding is that [Divac] being so close to Luka and knowing his dad so well factored into their decision,” MacMahon said on ESPN's “The Woj Pod,” via NBC Sports' Kurt Helin. “Basically, he didn't think a whole lot of Luka's dad, and the whole like father like son … well … no, this is a different dude.
“You messed that one up, Vlade.”
It's worth noting that the Kings already had a viable guard on their roster at that time in De'Aaron Fox. This may have been another reason why the Kings decided to pass on Doncic in the draft. The Phoenix Suns were also passed on Luka at No. 1 overall, opting instead for Deandre Ayton. Looking at Doncic now, though, he's become a generational talent. It's probably safe to say that any team would like to have him on their roster.
Luka Doncic continues to improve his game. Now in his second season with the Mavs, the 21-year-old star is averaging 29.0 points on 46.2 percent shooting from the field (31.2 percent from downtown), 9.5 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.1 steals in 33.7 minutes per outing.
Luka and the Mavs are currently holding the No. 7 in the Western Conference, 8.0 games ahead of the 8th-seeded Memphis Grizzlies. Dallas will be back in action on Thursday night with a matchup against the Clippers. Tip-off inside the bubble is set for 6:30 p.m. ET, with ESPN having live broadcast coverage.
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