CNN
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Luka Doncic completed a historic triple-double on Tuesday in the Dallas Mavericks’ 126-121 overtime win over the New York Knicks.
The 23-year-old had a career-high 60 points, a career-high 21 rebounds and 10 assists to help the Mavericks come back from a nine-point down with just 33 seconds left in regulation time.
It is the first time in NBA history that a player has reached that statistical line.
Doncic said after the game, “I’m so tired. I need a recovery beer.”
According to ESPN, in the last 20 seasons, all 13,884 NBA teams leading by 9 points or more with 35 seconds or less left have lost a game.
However, on a dramatic final play, Doncic deliberately missed a free throw and secured the rebound before scoring a putback to tie the game and force overtime.
The Slovenian star scored 10 points in the final minute of regulation time and added another 7 in extra time to take the most unlikely victory.
Doncic also joins James Harden as the only player in NBA history to complete a 60-point triple-double, over Oscar Robertson, Harden, Russell Westbrook, Wilt Chamberlain and LeBron James.
“I just saw it on screen,” Doncic said of the scoring feat. “We were watching NBA TV. I mean, at any stage, being in those comparisons and just being with them is incredible. It’s been amazing to me.”
Doncic’s 60 points set a new franchise scoring record for Dallas, surpassing Dirk Nowitzki’s 53 points against Houston in 2004.
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said of Doncic becoming the leader, “With age, he’ll have his birthday here in the New Year. I think he’s seen it all at 23. “But his competitiveness to win is at a very high level and it showed tonight.
“Things weren’t going well. Thanks to the Knicks, they were making a lot of 3s that we thought weren’t possible. They were playing harder. It was 10 down. Reed. or we were in this position early in the season when we talk about giving up or giving up a game like this.
“Luka played a big part in being together and being reliable. He was never disappointed when a match was over. We had a big jump ball and we learned a lot from losing in such a close match.”
The Mavericks improved to 19-16 during the season and moved up to sixth in the Western Conference, while the Knicks lost four straight to finish sixth in the East.