The Dallas Mavericks have picked up their biggest win of the season by beating the Phoenix Suns 128-114 on Christmas. The burgeoning rivalry between the teams meant it was the perfect way to end Christmas, and Luka Doncic made sure fans got their money’s worth. He earned the sixth 50-point game of his career and fans recognized he did this against Phoenix and rival Devin Booker.
And to all a good night! MAVS WIN!! @Chime // #MFFL #NBAXmas pic.twitter.com/k3C2aeF88v
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) December 26, 2023
Fans commented about how one-sided the rivalry between Luka and Devin Booker is becoming.
It’s a hate crime every time Luka sees Devin Booker.
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) December 26, 2023
Fans are hailing Luka as the MVP for his sensational night against Booker and Kevin Durant.
another signature MVP performance for luka. look at his stat line son and look who he going to war with… pic.twitter.com/1ZG1h4Vfi2
— SJ (@SJBasketball8) December 26, 2023
Mavericks fans took a lot of joy in watching Luka get the better of the Suns and Booker once again.
Luka bullying Booker again on national TV pic.twitter.com/T795xK2X3m
— MFFL (@Mavs_FFL) December 26, 2023
Fans also criticized Booker for not stepping up to the plate to match Luka’s performance.
Booker anytime he plays against Luka pic.twitter.com/eaTMPMtkcD
— MFFL (@Mavs_FFL) December 26, 2023
More fans criticized the rivalry for being too one-sided.
Luka walked in Devin bookers house and gave him 50 with all due respect not even a rivalry when one is so much better than the other
— Mark Jackson’s Burner (@casualtakeking) December 26, 2023
Luka Doncic had another special performance in what’s turning out to be an incredible season, leading to fans appreciating him.
We’ll never see a player like Luka Doncic again
— mev 🏀🧸🌹 (@mevvybear) December 26, 2023
Mavericks fans went through a roller-coaster of emotions but ended up on top and were happy.
i can cry real tears, what a game, what a game
booker and durant were in alcatraz, we survived an allen and metu career game
luka had one of the best performances of the season
role players stepped up big in the fourth
this is the best christmas of my life
— coopz (@Coopz___) December 26, 2023
This was easily the best game of the slate. The Mavericks squandered a 15-point lead in the third quarter and entered the fourth while trailing. They fought back to not only take the lead but made sure they won the game by 12 to showcase their superiority over the 11th-seeded Suns.
Luka had one of the most incredible stat lines of his career with 50 points, 15 assists, six rebounds, four steals, and three blocks. Derrick Jones Jr. contributed with 23 points, and rookie Dereck Lively II returned from an ankle injury to drop 20 points and 10 rebounds. Tim Hardaway Jr. had 18 points as well. Kyrie Irving missed his eighth consecutive game tonight.
The Suns were not led by Booker or Kevin Durant, as both their stars had off-nights. Instead, Grayson Allen dropped 32 points and tied the record for most threes in a Christmas game (shared with Luka). Chimezie Metu had the best game of his career off the bench, scoring 23 points and grabbing 19 rebounds. Booker managed 20 points and 10 assists while Durant put up just 16 points.
Luka Doncic’s History-Making Night
Luka Doncic broke multiple NBA records with his incredible performance on the night. The biggest achievement is Doncic breaking the 10,000-point barrier, becoming the fastest player active in the NBA to achieve this feat. Yes, that means he reached 10,000 points before LeBron James did as well, though LeBron was younger by entering the league as a younger star.
Doncic also enjoyed the sixth 50-point game of his career, which is more than every other Maverick of all time combined. This includes Dirk Nowitzki as well, but it seems Doncic is making the most of playing in a high-scoring era and carrying Dallas to wins. The Mavericks are 6-0 when Doncic scores 50 points.
His defense has shown massive improvement this season, which many attribute to him being in better shape. While he still takes the occasional play-off, an engaged Luka on defense can stifle defenses as proven today. He was intercepting passes in the lanes and trying his best to protect the rim on rotations or off spot-up jumpers.
Allen and Metu deserve credit for their performance for Phoenix, but the stars let them down after a report about Durant being unhappy with the role-players not helping him out. He probably owes an apology, as he and Booker struggled to overcome the Mavs’ defensive scheme which saw Dante Exum and Derrick Jones Jr. make it a tough night for them.
The Suns are 14-15 and have slipped to the 11th seed in the West. The Mavs improved to 18-12 and are currently the fifth seed in the West.
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