LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Luka Doncic’s 41-point triple-double propelled the Dallas Mavericks to a 129-125 National Basketball Association overtime triumph over the Brooklyn Nets, who dropped their fourth decision of the young season Thursday (Friday in Manila).
Slovenian star Doncic’s big night, which also included 11 rebounds and 14 assists, saw the Mavs come out on top in a furious back-and-forth battle.
Kyrie Irving, who led the Nets with 39 points, capped a 7-0 Brooklyn scoring run with a three-pointer over Doncic to put the hosts up 110-106 with less than four minutes left in regulation.
A Doncic basket and two free throws by the Mavs star saw Dallas pull level again and Tim Hardaway gave them a 112-110 lead with another pair of free throws.
But the Nets then harried Doncic into a turnover, Ben Simmons coming up with the steal and getting the ball to Kevin Durant, who raced down the court for a thunderous dunk that tied it up with 8.8 seconds remaining.
Dallas took control quickly in the extra session with a basket from Doncic and a pair of three-pointers from Hardaway and Maxi Kleber — Doncic assisting on both.
“Obviously, Luka is probably the best guy to make tough shots and make shots when they count, but he also knows when to make the right basketball plays,” Kleber said.
“And especially when we came into overtime, they were really aggressive with him and he made the right play — I don’t know — three or four times in a row. We just got hot and made all those shots.”
Doncic also set up Reggie Bullock for another three-pointer as the Mavs pushed their lead to as many as nine points and handed the Nets their second defeat in as many nights.
They fell to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks on Wednesday, two days after losing to Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies.
Doncic notched the 47th regular-season triple-double of his career and became the 10th player in NBA history with three or more 40-point triple-doubles.
