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Here’s where Luka Doncic ranks in Mavs, NBA history after career-high 73 points

The Dallas All-Star broke his own franchise record the same week Joel Embiid broke Wilt Chamberlain’s for the Sixers.

Luka Doncic tied for the fourth-highest point total in NBA history, breaking his own Mavericks franchise record with 73 points Friday in a 148-143 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

The Mavericks guard, fresh off his fifth career NBA All-Star selection in his sixth season, hit 25 of his 33 shots, including eight of 13 from 3-point range, in 45 minutes of play.

Doncic bested his previous franchise record, a 60-point triple-double in an overtime victory against the New York Knicks last season.

Also Friday, the Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker put up 62 points against the Indiana Pacers, two nights after scoring 46 in Dallas.

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He and Doncic weren’t about to let NBA big men Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns hog the spotlight this week. Embiid broke the Philadelphia 76ers’ franchise record with a 70-point game Monday, the same night Towns scored 62 for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

For Doncic, Friday was yet another highlight-reel performance Mavericks fans will remember for years to come. Here’s more to know about his record-setting night.

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Where Doncic’s 73 points ranks in the NBA

Other than Doncic, only three players in NBA history have scored 73 points or more in a game: Kobe Bryant, David Thompson and Wilt Chamberlain — four times.

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PlayerTeamPointsDate
Wilt ChamberlainPhl. Warriors100March 2, 1962
Kobe BryantLakers81Jan. 22, 2006
Wilt ChamberlainPhl. Warriors78Dec. 8, 1961
Luka DoncicMavericks73Jan. 26, 2024
David ThompsonNuggets73April 9, 1978
Wilt ChamberlainPhl. Warriors73Nov. 16, 1962
Wilt ChamberlainSF Warriors73Jan. 13, 1962
Wilt ChamberlainSF Warriors72Nov. 3, 1962
Elgin BaylorLakers71Nov. 15, 1960
David RobinsonSpurs71April 24, 1994
Damian LillardTrail Blazers71Feb. 26, 2023
Donovan MitchellCavaliers71Jan. 2, 2023
Joel Embiid76ers70Jan. 22, 2024
Devin BookerSuns70March 24, 2017
Wilt ChamberlainSF Warriors70March 10, 1963

Where Doncic’s 73 points ranks against Dirk, other Mavericks

Doncic broke Dirk Nowitzki’s single-game franchise scoring record of 53 points last season when he became the first player to ever record a 60-point, 20-rebound triple-double.

Friday was the seventh time Doncic passed 50 points in his Mavericks career. Dirk Nowitzki reached 50 points twice. Here are all the 50-plus-point performances by Mavericks players:

PlayerOpponentPointsDate
Luka DoncicHawks73Jan. 26, 2024
Luka DoncicNY Knicks60Dec. 27, 2022
Luka DoncicPistons53Jan. 30, 2023
Dirk NowitzkiRockets (OT)53Dec. 2, 2004
Luka DoncicSpurs51Dec. 31, 2023
Luka DoncicLA Clippers51Feb. 10, 2022
Dirk NowitzkiGolden State51March 23, 2006
Luka DoncicRockets50Dec. 23, 2022
Luka DoncicSuns50Dec. 25, 2023
Jim JacksonNuggets (OT)50Nov. 26, 1994
Jamal MashburnBulls (OT)50Nov. 12, 1994

What does the performance do for Doncic’s MVP odds?

Doncic’s output came too late to help him retain his No. 5 ranking in the NBA MVP ladder Friday, when he dropped a spot to No. 6.

After the 60-point performance last season, enough people wagered money on Doncic’s MVP odds to restore his status in some sportsbooks as the favorite to win the NBA’s most prestigious individual regular-season award. The award ended up going to Embiid.

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Can he do it again?

The Mavericks have back-to-back games this weekend, returning home Saturday to face the Sacramento Kings (8 p.m., Bally Sports Southwest).

After his milestone 73-point performance on the road against the Hawks, what might he do for an encore, assuming he plays?

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