Luka Doncic Fatigued as Mavs Lose to Thunder Despite Epic 30-0 Run

DALLAS — Marveling at the sensation of a sensational, wild outing, Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic left the American Airlines Center court a mix of exhaustion, pride, and frustration after a monumental battle Saturday night.

Following his first-time fatherhood journey, Doncic, despite leading a short-handed Dallas team in a massive comeback, fell short of securing the win against the Oklahoma City Thunder after a 30-0 run, the largest in the NBA since at least 1997-98 according to the Elias Sports Bureau’s records. His 36-point, 15-rebound, 18-assist performance was extraordinary but not enough to secure a win, ultimately resulting in a 126-120 loss for the Mavericks.

Reflecting on the roller coaster of emotions from the happiest day of his life to a big, big effort in the game, Doncic scrawled his daughter’s name, Gabriela, on one of his iconic Jordan Luka 2 shoes, a symbol of his incredible journey both on and off the court.

Doncic’s frustration peaked with a critical traveling call in the final minutes, highlighted by a highly contested layup by Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams. The fiery exchange with referee Mitchell Erwin after the game revealed the intensity of Doncic’s distress.

Holding himself accountable for letting his frustration impact his focus, Doncic acknowledged his emotions had an adverse effect in the final minute, possibly causing a game-deciding turnover.

This was a crushing finish to Doncic’s extraordinary performance, especially given the challenging circumstances. The exhausted star, having received minimal sleep the previous night, surpassed expectations, guiding the Mavericks with an unparalleled 46-minute display, ultimately joining an elite class in NBA history, alongside Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson, with 35 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists.

Despite the outcome, Doncic’s resolute effort not only impressed his teammates, but exposed the depth of his character and commitment, leaving fans and opponents alike in awe.