Luka Dončić Records Historic Triple-Double as Mavericks Defeat Lakers in Overtime Thriller

Luka Dončić delivered one of the most spectacular performances of his career tonight, recording a historic triple-double of 45 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists as the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 134-129 in overtime at American Airlines Center. The 26-year-old Slovenian became the youngest player in NBA history to achieve 50 career triple-doubles, surpassing Magic Johnson's previous record by nearly two years.

Dončić was masterful throughout the contest, particularly in the overtime period where he scored 11 of Dallas' 15 points to secure the victory. His performance included 6 three-pointers and perfect 9-of-9 shooting from the free-throw line, showcasing the improved consistency that has marked his development into one of the league's premier players. "Luka was simply incredible tonight," said Mavericks coach Jason Kidd. "The way he controlled the game in every aspect—scoring, rebounding, facilitating—that's what elite players do in big moments."

The Lakers, led by Anthony Davis' 38 points and 14 rebounds, pushed the game to overtime despite trailing by 12 points entering the fourth quarter. LeBron James, playing in his 22nd season at age 42, contributed 28 points and 9 assists while demonstrating the longevity that has defined his remarkable career. However, Los Angeles couldn't match Dallas' execution in the extra period, with Dončić finding open teammates for crucial baskets while hitting contested shots when needed most.

Dončić's 50th career triple-double came with 6:34 remaining in regulation when he grabbed a defensive rebound and immediately pushed the pace for an assist to teammate Kristaps Porziņģis. The milestone achievement drew a standing ovation from the Dallas crowd, who recognized they were witnessing history. At 26 years and 156 days old, Dončić eclipsed Magic Johnson's record by 711 days, underscoring his extraordinary basketball IQ and versatility at such a young age.

The victory improved Dallas to 41-18 on the season, strengthening their position as the third seed in the competitive Western Conference. Porziņģis added 24 points and 8 rebounds in support of Dončić, while Jalen Brunson contributed 19 points and 6 assists off the bench. The Mavericks' balanced scoring attack has been a key factor in their success this season, with Dončić's playmaking creating opportunities for teammates to flourish in their respective roles.

For the Lakers, the loss dropped them to 35-24 and highlighted their ongoing struggles in close games against elite competition. Despite Davis' dominant interior presence and James' continued excellence, Los Angeles has now lost four of their last six games to teams with winning records. The defeat may force the Lakers to reconsider their approach as they attempt to secure a favorable playoff seeding in the loaded Western Conference. As for Dončić, tonight's historic performance served as another reminder that he belongs in the conversation among the NBA's very best players, with his combination of skill, basketball intelligence, and competitive drive making him a nightmare matchup for any opponent.