CNN
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Luka Doncic continued his torrid start to the 2022-23 NBA season and tied a record that only two NBA Hall of Famers have recorded.
Doncic scored 33 points in the Dallas Mavericks’ 103-100 win over the Utah Jazz, which means he’s now scored over 30 points in his seven games this season.
In doing so, the 23-year-old became just the third player in NBA history – after Jack Twyman did it once and Wilt Chamberlain did it twice – to score more than 30 points during of the first seven games of a new season – and the first in almost 60 years.
Previously, Chamberlain, a four-time NBA MVP, was the last to reach the mark, in 1962-63. Chamberlain first achieved it in 1959-60, in the same season as Twyman did.
Doncic rubbed shoulders with NBA legends regularly in the few years he was in the NBA, consistently breaking records set by the game’s greats.
And after the win, he acknowledged the constant presence of the former San Francisco Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers.
“I always hear Wilt Chamberlain. He’s still there,” Doncic said afterwards.
Doncic added: “I just wanted to play in the NBA. It’s really a dream for me.
“I couldn’t be happier playing basketball and doing my job, and that’s it. I’m just happy to play basketball and when we win games, it’s even better.
Doncic still has some way to go to tie the consecutive game record of 30 points to open a season. Chamberlain holds the record with 23 straight games in 1962-63. He is also second on the list with eight games in 1959-60.
The Slovenian was many people’s favorite for the MVP award this season and started in electrifying fashion, averaging 36.1 points.
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd praised Doncic after his all-around performance fueled Dallas’ win on Wednesday.
“I think it’s special when you talk about MJ (Michael Jordan) and Wilt,” Kidd said, comparing Doncic’s influence at the Mavs to that of the former Chicago Bulls star and that legendary team. .
“It looks rare. We see this every night, so it’s pretty cool. A 23-year-old kid playing at this level is really, really special and cool to see.
“He can do it in so many ways when you’re talking about posting or going to the basket or shooting the three or shooting the small step back.
“It’s really cool to watch and just shows the focus he has at the moment. He carries the team and puts the team in a position to win.
