NBA Social Media Reacts to Luka Doncic's 73-Point Game in Mavs' Win Over Hawks

Luka Doncic made history and set the internet ablaze in the Dallas Mavericks' win over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.

Sports can be the best storyteller on any given night, and Luka Doncic captivated the sports world with a performance usually found in a movie script. 

Four years to the day Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant died in a helicopter crash, Doncic scored 73 points in the Dallas Mavericks' 148-143 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday at the State Farm Arena. 

HISTORIC 73-POINT NIGHT FROM LUKA DONCIC 🤯

🔥 73 PTS
🔥 25/33 FGM (75.8%)
🔥 15/16 FTM
🔥 8 3PM

He becomes the 4th player in NBA history to score 73+ points and the first ever to score 70+ on 75% or higher from the field. pic.twitter.com/Afm9cyJung

— NBA (@NBA) January 27, 2024

Doncic's 73-point performance was the most scored by a player in a game since Kobe scored 81 on Jan. 22, 2006, vs. the Toronto Raptors. Doncic is now tied for fourth all-time in points scored in a game. 

“It’s very special, we all love Kobe, man ... It’s special, on the same day, obviously I wish he was here," Doncic said after the game. 

Luka Doncic / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Doncic had most of the sports world in awe, ranging from current players to NBA legends, including Hall-of-Famer and all-time great Magic Johnson. 

What’s going on in the NBA?! The league is on fire with another dominate performance. This time, Luka Doncic! 73 points, wow! 🤯Congrats to Luka on his amazing 73 point, 10 rebound game tonight, leading his Mavericks to a 148-143 win against the Hawks.👏🏾

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 27, 2024

Chicago Bulls guard DeMar DeRozan also spoke highly of Doncic's dominant offensive display and predicted even more history could be made this season.

Somebody going to score a 100 before the season over!

— DeMar DeRozan (@DeMar_DeRozan) January 27, 2024

Doncic's showing comes on the heels of what has been a historic week for the NBA in terms of offensive performances. Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker scored 62 points on Friday, Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns scored 62 as well, and reigning MVP Joel Embiid dropped 70 earlier this week. 

Can’t believe what I’m watching 2 70 point performances in one week the league is Insane right now

— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) January 27, 2024

While 99.9 percent of the NBA world was positive about Doncic's performance, there is always one person who has to go against the grain. In this case, it was ESPN's Stephen A. Smith. He credited a porous defensive performance from the Hawks as the catalyst to a historic outing from the Slovenian superstar. 

"But the fans didn't want what we saw last night in Atlanta... That was a disgrace... Did you see how they played defense last night?"

Stephen A. Smith on Luka Doncic's 73-point game against the Hawks defense 🗣️

(via @ESPNNBA)pic.twitter.com/hdWntKycm8

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 27, 2024

"Let's not go overboard with this. The fans want this? No, the league wanted it,” Smith said on an NBA on ESPN segment. “Did you see that? I mean, that was a layup line. That was the Atlanta Hawks. No wonder why y'all stink. Did you see how they played defense last night?" 

‘Disgraceful!’ Stephen A. Smith Foolishly Discredits Luka

Regardless, it was a special night as Doncic scored the most points in a single game in Mavericks history and the most in just over 18 years. Nights like the one Doncic had are rare and deserve to be praised and cherished because you never know when you'll see it again.

If Doncic can continue to carry the Mavs and string together more dominant offensive performances, he may make even more history before the season is over.