Luka Doncic Eclipses Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Larry Bird, And Others For Most 40-Point Games In The Playoffs

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Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Luka Doncic is going to have a hard time over his career to be a playoff winner without the right pieces around him. While the Dallas Mavericks have a solid team that earned their way to the second round, Game 1 against Phoenix has proven that the Mavs need a little more in their arsenal.

However, this has given Doncic the perfect stage to become one of the most-known playoff performers in the NBA. We already have a decent sample size that shows the increase in Doncic’s numbers every time we are in the Playoffs. He was muted and working his way back from injury against Utah but started the Phoenix series off with a classic.

Doncic had 45 points, his 6th 40-point game in his playoff career. What’s incredible is that Doncic has done this in just his 17th post-season game. He has already surpassed the likes of Larry Bird, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and others for most 40-point games. He is tied with Stephen Curry and George Gervin.

Luka achieving these numbers at his age is incredible. His individual production in the playoffs is Jordan-esque, as Doncic is matching MJ’s 33.4 points average in the playoffs so far in his career. Good thing he’s a Jordan Brand athlete so that MJ can see what he’s doing first-hand.

The issue for Doncic is that his performances aren’t necessarily bringing big wins back to his team. The first-round series against the Utah Jazz is the only playoff series Luka has won in his career, and he was missing for the first three games. 

Doncic is a transcendent talent, but he needs to be a giant killer in the playoffs. Like how LeBron James upset the Detroit Pistons en route to his first NBA Finals, Doncic needs to do something similar to solidify his rapid rise into being a perennial MVP candidate in this league. 

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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher ReportYahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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