Luka Magic was in full effect on January 26, 2024, as Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Dončić delivered one of the most jaw-dropping performances in NBA history — scoring 73 points in a win over the Atlanta Hawks.
In a league that has seen legendary scoring nights from the likes of Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, and David Thompson, Dončić’s 73-point explosion ranks as the fourth-highest single-game scoring performance in NBA history — tied with Wilt Chamberlain (1962) and just behind Kobe Bryant’s iconic 81-point game.
“I Just Got in a Rhythm”
Dončić was unstoppable from start to finish. He shot 25-of-33 from the field, including 8-of-13 from three-point range, and 15-of-16 from the free-throw line. He added 10 rebounds and 7 assists, nearly notching a triple-double in one of the most efficient high-scoring performances the league has ever seen.
> “I just got in a rhythm,” Dončić said postgame. “It felt like everything I put up was going in. I didn’t even know I had 73 until they told me.”
The 24-year-old guard became the youngest player in NBA history to score 70+ points, surpassing Devin Booker, who was 20 when he scored 70 in 2017.
Where Luka’s 73 Ranks All-Time
Here’s how Dončić’s epic night stacks up in the record books:
1. Wilt Chamberlain — 100 points (1962)
2. Kobe Bryant — 81 points (2006)
3. David Thompson — 73 points (1978)
4. Wilt Chamberlain — 73 points (1962)
5. Luka Dončić — 73 points (2024)
This puts Dončić in elite company — and with many years ahead of him, some analysts believe he could eventually challenge Kobe’s or even Wilt’s records.
A Scorer with a Point Guard’s Mind
What makes Dončić’s performance even more impressive is his playmaking ability. Unlike most players who reach 70+, Luka isn’t just a scorer. He’s one of the league’s most gifted passers and routinely leads the Mavericks in assists and rebounds.
So far in the 2023–24 season, Luka is averaging:
34.6 points per game
8.8 rebounds per game
9.7 assists per game
He’s firmly in the MVP race, and this 73-point game might be the highlight that strengthens his case.
The Face of the New Generation
Already a four-time All-Star and All-NBA First Team selection, Dončić continues to deliver at a level that defies his age. He entered the league in 2018 as a teenage phenom from Slovenia — now, he’s the face of the Mavericks franchise and arguably one of the most unstoppable offensive forces in the world.
Fans, teammates, and former legends took to social media to praise his performance.
> “Luka is unreal. That 73 wasn’t just numbers — it was surgical,” tweeted NBA Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki, who spent his entire career in Dallas.
Final Thoughts
Luka Dončić’s 73-point game isn’t just a moment — it’s a marker of a superstar reaching a newl evel. He’s not just the future of the NBA anymore. He’s the now.
