The Dallas Mavericks had plenty of reason to celebrate following their road win over the Indiana Pacers.
Not only did the Mavericks come up with a victory over a Pacers team that has been highly competitive this season, Luka Doncic made history yet again.
The 21-year-old recorded his fifth triple-double of the season and the 30th of his career, becoming the second-fastest player (146 games) to reach that landmark in NBA history.
Triple-doubles before turning 22:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 21, 2021
30 — Luka Doncic
29 — Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson, LeBron James combined pic.twitter.com/Cq5eM6oBTd
In the 124-112 road win against the Pacers, Doncic finished with 13 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists. He didn't have to do much scoring as five other Mavericks scored in double figures, led by Kristaps Porzingis' 27-point, 13-rebound double-double.
The Latvian had his best game of the season yet, shooting a super-efficient 12-for-15 from the field, but that should come as no surprise given the looks he was getting - especially a couple very early in the game that were set up by Doncic.
Take a look at these dimes from the one-time All-Star:
Like we said: pic.twitter.com/XxKKhK7FWB
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) January 21, 2021
On both plays, the Pacers defence - one that has ranked in the top six that last couple of seasons - trapped Doncic high above the 3-point line.
But both times, Doncic pulled the double-team with him and waited until the help defender made a decision before rifling a pass.
In the first play (top), he whipped the ball around the double-team. In the second (below), he elevated over the double-team while staring down Josh Green on the wing.
That's elite-level skill, vision and execution for a 21-year-old, but then again, how often has Doncic played his age? This isn't the first time he's shown LeBron-esque playmaking skill, and it certainly won't be the last.
After losing by 23 points to the Toronto Raptors in Tampa, the much-needed victory snaps the Mavericks' three-game skid and gets them back to .500 (7-7).
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