MY ACCOUNT
Jason Kidd has run out of ways to describe Luka Doncic who, according to the Dallas Mavericks coach, “just gets better”.
Doncic was at the top of his game on Thursday, as he scored 49 points in a 125-118 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
The 22-year-old became the first player in NBA history to score 40+ points, have 15 or more rebounds, provide at least five assists, make five or more threes and have a plus-minus of +20 or better, all in a single game.
Doncic averages 27.5 points, 9.2 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game from 44 appearances this season, leading the Mavs in each of those categories.
“Luka set the tone early and often,” Kidd told reporters. “We can sit here and talk about him all day. The things that he does on the court for himself and his team-mates are incredible.
“We’ve used every noun and adjective to describe his game. He just gets better.”
Doncic’s points tally was just two shy of the career-high 51 he set against the Los Angeles Clippers on February 10.
The Slovenian has now had 45 points or higher in three of his last four games, but Doncic was actually underwhelmed by parts of his display.
“I didn’t really notice, but my career-high in points [before] was about 44 or 45 points. I definitely felt good for two quarters, but the last quarter was just very bad,” he said.
“There were too many bad shots, but we still got a win, so I’m happy.”
Team-mate Maxi Kleber, however, did not share Doncic’s frustration.
“What he’s doing right now is unbelievable,” Kleber said. “He’s just gifted as a team-mate. It’s fun to watch.”
