Luka Doncic shatters franchise record with 73 points, as Mavs down Hawks

Luka Doncic erupted for a franchise-record 73 points, tying for the fourth-highest single-game scoring feat in NBA history.
The Dallas Mavericks edged the Atlanta Hawks 148-143 on Friday night, breaking a three-game losing streak while extending the Hawks’ skid to four consecutive losses.
Doncic’s scoring outburst surpassed his previous personal best of 60 points, set against the New York Knicks in 2022.
The young star exhibited offensive prowess by making 25 of 33 field goal attempts, including 8 of 13 from beyond the arc, and converting 15 of 16 free throws. This remarkable performance came just days after Joel Embiid’s 70-point game for the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Mavericks’ point guard scored 41 points in the first half alone, setting a franchise record for points in any half. His dominant showing included a season-high 51 points after sinking a 3-pointer in the third quarter.
Doncic’s historical night places him in elite company alongside basketball legends Wilt Chamberlain and Kobe Bryant, who scored 73 points in a single game.
Chamberlain, who holds the NBA record with 100 points, also recorded a 78-point game, while Bryant’s iconic 81-point performance occurred on January 22, 2006.
Facing the team that drafted him in 2018, the Atlanta Hawks, Doncic showcased his offensive prowess. The Hawks attempted various defensive strategies, deploying Jalen Johnson and others to slow down the Slovenian sensation, but none were successful.
The victory not only ended the Mavericks’ losing streak but also handed the Hawks their fourth consecutive defeat. Trae Young led Atlanta with 30 points, contributing to a late-game surge that narrowed the gap, but Doncic’s 73-point explosion ultimately secured the Mavericks’ win.
Doncic’s incredible milestone occurred in his original NBA home, a fitting backdrop for a night that will be remembered as one of the greatest scoring displays in league history.
As the Mavericks move forward, Doncic’s record-breaking performance provides a significant boost, and the team looks to build on this victory in the games to come.