Luka Doncic’s 73-Point Masterpiece

01/30/2024

By: Jeff Yoder

Luka Doncic Pours In 73, Devin Booker Drops 62 to Cap NBA Scoring Surge Week (Four 60-Point Games)

Open the floodgates! The NBA’s January scoring surge is shattering records left and right. Just a few days after Joel Embiid (70) and Karl-Anthony Towns (62) had a historic same-day scoring night, Luka Doncic (73) and Devin Booker (62) did it again on Friday. There were more 60-point games in the last week than most entire NBA seasons. Doncic’s sizzling 73 goes down as the 4th-highest (tied) in NBA history. Only Wilt Chamberlain (100 & 78) and Kobe Bryant (81) have scored more in a game. Feed the hot hand!

Luka Doncic Pours in 73 Points

Doncic was downright untouchable in Atlanta on Friday, shooting 25-for-33 with eight 3s, 10 rebounds and seven assists. He had 41 at the half — a nod to Dirk Nowitzki’s number — before breaking Nowitzki’s Mavericks’ franchise record (60) with nearly a quarter to play. Multiple and-ones down the stretch got him over the 70-point milestone for the highest-scoring game in the NBA this year. (Mavs def. Hawks, 148-143)

Devin Booker Drops 62 Points

While Luka was going lights out in Atlanta, Booker and the Suns were on the road in Indiana on Friday. He went 22-for-37 with six 3s en route to a season-high 62 points, but the Suns struggled in the 4th quarter and watched a lead slip away against the Pacers. Even still, it was the Suns’ fourth-straight game with a 40-point scorer (Kevin Durant: 2, Devin Booker: 2). (Pacers def. Suns, 133-131)

Steph (46) & LeBron (36-20-12) Put on a Show

There were a handful of other 40-point performances over the weekend, including 46 points from Steph Curry in a wild double-overtime game with the Lakers where 38-year-old LeBron James (36-20-12) had a ridiculous 30-20-10 night. (Lakers def. Warriors, 145-144, 2OT)

We’re seeing eye-popping stats everywhere we look in the NBA.

SI: Dirk Nowitzki, NBA World Go Bonkers as Luka Doncic Scores 73 Points

Photo: Todd Kirkland / Getty Images