An historic 60-point, 21-rebound, 10-assist triple-double courtesy of Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić has dragged the team to a thrilling 126-121 overtime win over the Knicks at American Airlines Center.
Dončić becomes the first player in NBA history to put together a 60-20-10 stat-line whilst simultaneously breaking Dirk Nowitzki’s franchise record for most points in a game and joining James Harden as the only players in NBA history to put up a 60-point triple-double.
It also marked career-highs in points and rebounds for the 23-year-old Slovenian phenom.
He is now averaging 33.6 ppg, 8.7 rpg and 8.8 apg on the year.
The Knicks got off to a first-quarter lead which they were able to sustain throughout the second period.
It grew into double-digits late in the third as the Knicks looked poised to snap their three-game skid.
With 33.9 seconds remaining in the fourth, the Knicks led by nine points.
A wild sequence full of fouls, turnovers, missed free throws and wild threes saw Dallas pull off a miraculous comeback to force overtime.
They outscored the Knicks 11-6 in the extra period to win their fourth game in-a-row.
Prior to today, teams were 0-13,884 over the past two decades when trailing by at least nine points with 35 seconds or less to play; games with as many historical tidbits as this one are few and far between.
The Knicks outrebounded Dallas, scored more second-half points, and shot better from three but struggled keeping Dallas off the line – particularly Dončić who shot 22 free throws – and allowed 15 points off turnovers.
For the Knicks, R.J. Barrett lasted just over 90 seconds before succumbing to a finger laceration – a big blow after Jalen Brunson was ruled out pregame due to hip soreness.
Quentin Grimes put up the first 30-point game of his young career – 33 points on 7-of-16 from three – whilst Julius Randle had 29 points and 18 rebounds.
Mitchell Robinson put up 20 points and 16 rebounds whilst Miles McBride had 14 points in 46 minutes off the bench.
The Knicks fall to 18-17 whilst Dallas improve to 19-16.
