Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic reacts after getting knocked to the bottom through the first half of an NBA basketball recreation in opposition to the Phoenix Suns, Monday, Dec. 25, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photograph/Rick Scuteri)
PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns ran double groups at Luka Doncic and the Dallas star picked them aside to arrange simple baskets.
It was even worse when the Suns left Doncic in one-on-one protection.
Luka Doncic scored 50 factors to eclipse 10,000 for his NBA profession and had 15 assists, lifting the Dallas Mavericks to a 128-114 win over the Phoenix Suns on Monday evening.
“He’s top-of-the-line on this planet,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd mentioned. “As I’ve at all times mentioned, we are able to’t take him without any consideration. When he’s feeling it, you’re simply attempting to get him the ball as a lot as doable.”
They positive did in opposition to the Suns and Doncic made them pay for it.
Doncic capped a Christmas Day filled with NBA video games with a stellar efficiency, hitting 8 of 16 from 3 and all 12 of his free throws. He eclipsed 10,000 profession factors within the first quarter to achieve the milestone in 358 profession video games, seventh quickest in NBA historical past.
Luka Doncic put collectively an HISTORIC #NBAXmas efficiency within the Mavs’ win over the Suns 🎄
50 PTS
15 AST
8 3PM
6 REB
4 STL
3 BLK
▪️ No participant in NBA historical past has reached these thresholds
▪️ 2nd participant ever with 50 factors and 15 assists (James Harden, Dec. 31, 2016) pic.twitter.com/tBFSwWKq9n
— NBA (@NBA) December 26, 2023
The remainder of the Mavericks chipped in when Doncic handed out of double groups.
Dereck Vigorous II had 20 factors and 10 rebounds after lacking 4 video games with an ankle sprain and Tim Hardaway Jr. added 18 factors in Dallas’ ninth straight recreation with out Kyrie Irving (heel).
After permitting Phoenix to take the lead, Dallas went on a 17-4 run halfway by the fourth quarter and pulled away from there.
“That was a troublesome highway recreation and outdoors of the 10K and 50 factors, we gained the sport so I’m actually glad,” Doncic mentioned.
The Mavericks did their greatest to restrict the effectiveness of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, holding them to 25 mixed pictures.
With Phoenix’s two stars surrounded by defenders all evening, Chimezie Metu and Grayson Allen gave the Suns a carry off a bench that’s been a weak spot at instances this season.
Allen scored 19 of his 32 factors within the third quarter to assist the Suns rally from a 15-point deficit and went 8 of 17 from 3. Metu had 23 factors and a career-high 19 rebounds with huge man Jusuf Nurkic lacking his second straight recreation resulting from private causes.
The Suns have misplaced 9 of 11.
“We weren’t stopping them within the fourth, so we have been taking the ball within the basket,” Suns coach Frank Vogel mentioned. “Double teaming Luka, they have been hurting us and once we weren’t doubling, he was hurting us as nicely and I feel that took us out of our rhythm offensively some.”
Doncic had a 39-point triple-double in a win over San Antonio his final recreation and received off to a scorching begin within the desert.
He welcomed Vigorous again by setting him up with two simple baskets on the rim. Doncic began in search of his shot after that, scoring 17 factors on 5-of-6 taking pictures within the first quarter to provide the Mavericks a 36-24 lead.
Doncic returned within the second quarter to hit a step-back 3-pointer and located Derrick Jones Jr. for a hovering alley-oop. Doncic had 24 factors and eight assists to provide Dallas a 64-54 halftime lead.
The Suns have been disjointed offensively a lot of the first half, lacking 13 straight pictures beginning late within the first quarter. Phoenix saved Dallas inside attain behind Metu’s 13 factors by attending to the road, hitting 12 of 14 free throws within the first half.
“I belief the gamers on this workforce,” mentioned Booker, who had 20 factors and 10 assists. “I’m throwing it to them each time, however the first half we have been simply lacking them.”
The Suns had higher ball motion to open the third quarter, utilizing penetration to get open seems whereas chopping Dallas’ result in 75-71. Phoenix took the lead on Allen’s 3-pointer and issues received testy late within the third quarter when Dallas’ Grant Williams pulled Booker by his jersey.
The Mavericks used their huge run to go up eight and stretched it to 14 on Doncic’s runner within the closing seconds to push him to 50 factors, capping his particular Christmas evening.
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Dallas: Hosts Cleveland on Wednesday.
Phoenix: Performs at Houston on Wednesday.