By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The 78th career triple-double by Luka Doncic led to a comfortable win, 137-101, for the Dallas Mavericks over the Washington Wizards in Capital One Arena.
From combining 21 points with ten rebounds and ten assists on Thursday, he went into the senior national team of Slovenia during the postgame press conference.
“That would be a dream come true, playing in front of the fans in a big tournament,” he replied about the Basketball Federation of Slovenia, KZS, in a bid for the hosting rights of the 2029 EuroBasket.
The top national teams of Europe, including Slovenia clinching a berth during the recent international window of FIBA, will compete this summer in the preceding 2025 EuroBasket. “I always say I’m going to play,” confirmed Doncic.
Meanwhile, the 25-year-old combo guard tied Wilt Chamberlain and James Harden in seventh place on the all-time list of players with the most triple-doubles in the NBA. The head coach of the Mavs, Jason Kidd is next at 107 triple-doubles.
“Just being up there with those great names, it’s unbelievable for me. Never take it for granted,” mentioned Doncic.
By forcing the Wizards to a 16th straight loss, his side collected a sixth win in a row and jumped to 15-8 in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season. Except for Doncic, European action stretched to German Maxi Kleber, who put in two blocks and one assist over 16 minutes.
“Anybody stepping in the court contributes a lot of things. Everybody knows his role. Chemistry is one of the most important things in teams like this. And we have it,” mentioned Doncic, “It’s just fun to play with these guys on the floor.”
Lasting 32 minutes, he made 7/17 field goals, including three triples. He also recorded two steals and one block.
“I think he is a good defender. I think he is very athletic. He predicts my moves well. That’s very impressive,” he commented on facing the defense of French upstart Bilal Coulibaly, “I think he is going to be better and better.”
Coulibaly, 20, registered four points with 0/10 field goals, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals versus the Mavericks. Fellow French starter, Alex Sarr had 11 points, eight rebounds, two blocks, and one steal. Coming off the bench, Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas ended up with nine points and five rebounds.