Unsure until the last moment due to a calf strain, Luka Doncic was well and truly dressed for this Texan derby like no other since it marked Victor Wembanyama’s big debut in the NBA. It’s an understatement to say that the Slovenian stole the show with a huge triple-double: 33 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists! And above all the victory snatched in “money time”.
We will obviously remember this killer shot 30 seconds from the end, at the limit of 24 seconds. Punctuated with a small celebration to taunt the San Antonio public. But also this aggression in the 4th quarter to take the reins of the match. It is he who causes “Wemby”’s 5th foul at the start of the quarter, and it is again he who is involved in his team’s last eleven points.
“It was a Hall Of Fame performance for most of the night.”
Like Nikola Jokic the day before against the Lakers, Doncic behaved like a boss in “money time”, and twice, he found Kyrie Irving to tip the balance towards Dallas. Enough to arouse the admiration of Gregg Popovich. “It was a Hall Of Fame performance for most of the night.” believes the Spurs coach. “Luka was very good. Kyrie hasn’t been bad either. The two future Hall Of Famers got us. »
For Doncic, all smiles, and much less nervous during the match, this first from Wembanyama was a challenge to take on. “It was pleasant. We knew the room was going to be noisy. He is undoubtedly one of the best prospects to arrive in the NBA. Personally, I have challenges, and it was a pleasant challenge.”
Like provoking the 5th foul from “Wemby” : “I’m not going to reveal my secrets” he laughs at a press conference. “It’s game intelligence. He was coming at me quickly, and I just slowed down…”
At the finish, a victory, a new triple-double, and above all a big smile. It had become so rare for him.
| Luka Doncic | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | DAL | 72 | 32 | 42.7 | 32.7 | 71.3 | 1.2 | 6.6 | 7.8 | 6.0 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 3.4 | 0.4 | 21.2 |
| 2019-20 | DAL | 61 | 34 | 46.3 | 31.6 | 75.8 | 1.3 | 8.1 | 9.4 | 8.8 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 4.3 | 0.2 | 28.8 |
| 2020-21 | DAL | 66 | 34 | 47.9 | 35.0 | 73.0 | 0.8 | 7.2 | 8.0 | 8.6 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 4.3 | 0.6 | 27.7 |
| 2021-22 | DAL | 65 | 35 | 45.7 | 35.3 | 74.4 | 0.9 | 8.3 | 9.1 | 8.7 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 4.5 | 0.6 | 28.4 |
| 2022-23 | DAL | 66 | 36 | 49.6 | 34.2 | 74.2 | 0.8 | 7.8 | 8.6 | 8.0 | 2.5 | 1.4 | 3.6 | 0.5 | 32.4 |
| Total | 330 | 34 | 46.6 | 33.8 | 73.9 | 1.0 | 7.6 | 8.6 | 8.0 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 4.0 | 0.4 | 27.6 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
