Luka Doncic first since Wilt Chamberlain with 7 30-point video games to open season

DALLAS — It has been sixty years because the NBA has seen a season-opening scoring streak like Luka Doncic’s scorching begin to the season.

Doncic has scored at the least 30 factors in every of the Dallas Mavericks’ first seven video games, the longest 30-point streak to start out a season since Wilt Chamberlain in 1962-63. It is a feat that has solely been achieved 3 times beforehand, twice by Chamberlain and as soon as by Jack Twyman.

Doncic is averaging a league-leading 36.1 factors per recreation. In accordance with ESPN Stats & Data analysis, that’s the third highest-scoring common via seven video games within the final 60 seasons behind Michael Jordan (37.0 in 1986-87) and James Harden (36.6 in 2019-20).

“That is uncommon air and we get to see that on a nightly foundation,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd mentioned after Doncic had 33 factors in a 103-100 win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday evening. “That is fairly cool. A 23-year-old child that’s enjoying on this stage is actually, actually particular to see. He can do it in so some ways, once you speak about posting up or attending to the basket, taking pictures the three or taking pictures that little step again.

“It is actually cool to observe, and it simply reveals the main target that he has proper now. He is carrying the staff and placing the staff in place to win.”

Doncic additionally had 11 assists, marking his fourth 30-point, 10-assist efficiency already this season. The remainder of the NBA has mixed for 4 such outings this season. Doncic broke Mark Aguirre’s franchise document for the longest streak of 30-point video games.

As Doncic famous, it is a stark distinction to his sluggish begin final season, when he admittedly reported to coaching camp out of practice.

“I simply know from final yr I needed to begin higher, as a result of the best way I began final yr wasn’t acceptable,” mentioned Doncic, who’s taking pictures 51.4% from the ground. “I attempted to be taught from that and simply do higher than final yr.”

Doncic, a first-team All-NBA choice the final three seasons, has incessantly discovered himself on quick lists of gamers who’ve hit sure statistical milestones. With a smile, he talked about that plainly Chamberlain is “all the time there.”

“Superb, however I am not shocked,” Dallas guard Spencer Dinwiddie mentioned of Doncic’s traditionally important scoring streak. “Luka’s a savant in each sense of the phrase because it applies to basketball. Nothing shocks me. Clearly, he is younger and one of the best is but to return. I believe he will set lots of data for the Mavs and be within the dialog with the greats.”