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Luka Dončić Gets NBA MVP Hype from Fans as Mavs Beat Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder

zach bacharContributor IFebruary 10, 2024

DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 10: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks brings the ball up court during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 10, 2024 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images

Luka Dončić nearly dropped a triple-double as the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 146-111 on Saturday afternoon.

Dončić scored 32 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out nine assists against a Thunder team that entered the game with the second-best record in the Western Conference. He shot 9-of-14 from the floor, connecting on four of his eight attempts from behind the arc.

NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA

Luka had 'em lost 😵‍💫 <a href="https://t.co/FhNV7i5UM5">pic.twitter.com/FhNV7i5UM5</a>

Kyrie Irving put up 25 points and eight assists of his own, shooting 57.9 percent in his 33 minutes of action.

Dallas' trade deadline moves already seem to be paying off, as P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford were both impactful off the bench in their Dallas debuts. Washington put up 14 points and five rebounds on 6-of-10 shooting, while Gafford racked up 19 points and nine rebounds to go along with a block in just 17 minutes on the floor.

Fans were impressed with Dončić specifically, as the 24-year-old has now scored at least 30 points in 12 of his past 14 appearances.

NBA @NBA

Luka puts up his 35th 30-point game of the season as the Mavs win their 4th game in a row 🔥💪<br><br>32 PTS / 8 REB / 9 AST <a href="https://t.co/lJLRNockh3">pic.twitter.com/lJLRNockh3</a>

NBA @NBA

LUKA MAGIC! Are you kidding?<br><br>Thunder-Mavs | Live on NBA TV<br>📲 <a href="https://t.co/rlrlzB87Ie">https://t.co/rlrlzB87Ie</a> <a href="https://t.co/hWXN2Z1L13">pic.twitter.com/hWXN2Z1L13</a>

Luka Dončić Gets NBA MVP Hype from Fans as Mavs Beat Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
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BasketballNews.com @basketbllnews

Luka Dončić in today's win vs. OKC:<br><br>🟦32 PTS<br>🟦9-14 FG<br>🟦50% 3P<br>🟦9 AST<br>🟦8 REB<br><br>MVP? 🤔 <a href="https://t.co/lntl5x4IxQ">pic.twitter.com/lntl5x4IxQ</a>

K.N.D❤️‍🔥 @DontSayKxnny

The Luka MVP campaign begins now

okalandia @okaland1a

Mvp should be like this:<br>1. Luka<br>2. Jokic<br>3. Steph

StatMuse @statmuse

MVP candidate matchup today:<br><br>Luka — Shai — <br>32 PTS 25 PTS<br>8 REB 6 REB<br>9 AST 5 AST <a href="https://t.co/CDaOZg4XcS">pic.twitter.com/CDaOZg4XcS</a>

Michael Goldermann @mgoIdermann

SGA is a terrific player, but I can't help but watch this game and feel like Luka is clearly a tier above him

Canyon ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ @CanyonDC4L

LUKA IS THE MVP <a href="https://t.co/JZDE9rMNKL">https://t.co/JZDE9rMNKL</a>

BrooksForMVP @Brooks4MVP

Shai isn't mvp. He's good but luka, Jokic even embiid is better

𝕶𝖊r̶r̶𝖔🍼 @Kerrocalledgame

Luka Doncic &amp; The Mavs Highlights vs Shai &amp; OKC. Real MVP!!!🔥🌟. <a href="https://t.co/UDRwIIwAAI">pic.twitter.com/UDRwIIwAAI</a>

StatMamba @StatMamba

Luka Doncic already has more career 30-point games than 98.9% of players in NBA history. <a href="https://t.co/V61Kw1A4I3">pic.twitter.com/V61Kw1A4I3</a>

Basketball Forever @bballforever_

Luka Doncic with 32 pts, 8 reb, 9 ast as the Mavericks BLOW OUT #2 seeded Thunder 💪🏽<br><br>Luka keeps CLIMBING the MVP ladder 📈 <a href="https://t.co/ufAvvwS01b">pic.twitter.com/ufAvvwS01b</a>

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored an efficient 25 points, connecting on nine of his 16 field-goal attempts. However, he was only able to record five assists compared to three turnovers while the Thunder shot 39 percent from the floor as a team.

The Mavericks have won four games in a row and hold the No. 8 seed in the West. If they continue to climb the standings while Dončić maintains his superb play, he's going to warrant serious MVP consideration.

IND vs NYK
Tomorrow 12:00 am
Moneyline
IND+156NYK-186
Spread
IND+4.5NYK-4.5
Total Points
Over224.0Under224.0
Odds provided by
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