Mavs vs. Kings Preview: Will Luka Play Following 73-Point Masterpiece?

The Dallas Mavericks return home in the second half of a back-to-back to host the Sacramento Kings on Saturday.

The Dallas Mavericks won't have too much time to celebrate a historic performance from Luka Doncic in their win over the Atlanta Hawks.

Doncic scored 73 points in the Mavs' 148-143 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday at the State Farm Arena. Doncic's 73 points were the most in a game since Kobe Bryant scored 81 on Jan. 22, 2006, vs. the Toronto Raptors. 

Luka Doncic and De'Aaron Fox / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Doncic's historic performance came four years to the day that Kobe, his daughter Gianna Bryant and seven other people died in a helicopter crash. 

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

Dallas now sets its sights on the Sacramento Kings, who have won two in a row after dropping four straight. Sacramento guard De'Aaron Fox stripped Steph Curry in the game's waning seconds to steal a 134-133 win over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday at the Chase Center. 

The Kings boast one of the best offenses in basketball, averaging 118.7 points per game, which is the eighth-best in the NBA. Fox is averaging 27.5 points per game, and center Domantas Sabonis has averaged 20 points and eight assists per game. 

Luka on Historic 73 Points on Anniversary of Kobe Death - 'Unbelievable ... I Feel Special'

Here's everything you need to know heading into tonight's game. 

Injury Reports: 

Mavs: No injury report submitted as of 11 a.m. CT. This article will be updated, so check back later today.

Kings:

Questionable: Sasha Vezenkov (ankle sprain)

Out: Jordan Ford (G League) and Jalen Slawson (G League)

RECORDS: Mavs (25-20) vs. Kings (25-18)

WHEN & WHERE: Jan. 27, 2024 at American Airlines Center. Tip-off at 8 p.m. CT. 

HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN: Bally Sports Southwest, NBA League Pass, 97.1 The Freak

BETTING ODDS: Kings are -3.5 point favorites over the Mavs.

FINAL WORD: “Oh it was great, man," Doncic said of having a historic performance against the team that traded him. "I could have been here, but I think it benefits both sides. I actually saw one fan wearing an Atlanta jersey with 77, so I was glad.

"I think it's a big deal, but there's always going to be trades in conversation when you come back to one place that could've had you. You always have maybe some more special (feelings) to it, maybe it was more special."