Gregg Popovich's comments about holding Mavericks' Luka Doncic to under 50 points come back to haunt him

Ahead of Saturday's matchup against Luka Doncic, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich jokingly said his team's goal was to hold the superstar to "under 50." Unfortunately, Doncic made Popovich eat his words.

Doncic led the Mavericks to a 126-125 victory, scoring a game-high 51 points with nine assists and six rebounds. 

Earlier in the week, Popovich marveled at Doncic's 60-point, 20-rebound, ten-assist game against the New York Knicks when speaking with reporters.

"There's always something in our lives that makes you say, 'I can't believe that happened.'" Popovich. "That was one of them, for sure." 

After praising Doncic, he jokingly commented, "We're holding Luka under 50. Quote." 

According to NBA History, Luka Doncic is only the eighth player in league history to have three games of 50 points or more in a season before turning 25. 

Friday's 50-point performance is Donic's third of the month and fourth of his career. Per ESPN Stats and Info, all other players in Mavericks' history have only four 50-point games combined. 

Doncic closed 2022 out in style, producing video game-like numbers over his last five games, dropping scoring totals of 50, 32, 60, 35, and 51.