The Dallas Mavericks made NBA history on Sunday when they set the league record for most points ever in a quarter on Christmas Day. In their 124-115 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, the Mavericks scored 51 points in the third quarter.
The previous record belonged to the Lakers, as they had 45 points in the third quarter in a 141-127 win over the Cincinnati Royals on December 25, 1961. The Mavericks also tied the franchise record for most points in a single quarter. They had 51 points in the fourth quarter in a 149-104 win over the Golden State Warriors on January 15, 1985.
The Mavericks’s 51 points in a quarter on Sunday were also the most points scored in a single quarter this season. The Warriors had 50 points in a 130-125 win over the Sacramento Kings on October 23, 2022, and the Orlando Magic had 50 points in a 135-124 win over the Atlanta Hawks on December 14, 2022. The NBA record for most points by one team in a single quarter was 58 points by the Buffalo Braves in a 126-118 Buffalo loss to the Boston Celtics on October 20, 1972.
In the Mavericks’ win over the Lakers on Sunday, Tim Hardaway Jr. led the Mavericks in scoring during the third quarter as he had 16 points. Luka Doncic, who scored 50 points on Friday in a 112-106 Dallas win over the Houston Rockets, also reached the double-digit point plateau in the quarter as he had 13 points. Doncic also led the Mavericks in the game with 32 points.
With the win, the Mavericks improved to 18 wins and 16 losses and are in eighth place in the Western Conference. They are four games back of the first place Denver Nuggets.
