Luka Doncic comments on scoring 73 on fourth anniversary of Kobe's death

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) waves to the crowd against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Luka Doncic comments on scoring 73 on fourth anniversary of Kobe Bryant's death

By Sai Mohan | Last updated 1/27/24

The late Kobe Bryant had a huge impact on today’s NBA players, two of whom had monster-scoring nights on the fourth anniversary of his death. On Friday, Luka Doncic and Devin Booker channeled their inner Mamba, dropping 73 and 63 points, respectively, to cap off an emotional night for the league.

After the Mavs' 148-143 win over the Hawks, Doncic explained why his career-high scoring outburst meant a bit more.

"It’s amazing, man. It’s extraordinary," Doncic said. "We all loved Kobe, man. It was a big tragedy. [I] can’t believe it’s been four years already. So, it’s special to, you know, to [score 73] on the same day. Obviously, I wish he was here."

Kobe Bryant tragically passed away on January 26, 2020.

Luka Dončić scored a career-high 73 points on January 26, 2024.

Dončić: “It’s very special, we all love Kobe man… it’s special, on the same day, obviously I wish he was here.”

His profile photo and header is still Kobe. pic.twitter.com/lUXvvpteg3
— Landon Thomas (@sixfivelando) January 27, 2024

Booker — whose 63 points came in a losing effort — was a little more agitated after the game due to a no-call from the referee that led to him missing a buzzer-beating three. Yet, the Suns guard had a special night himself, becoming only the second player since Bryant with at least three 28-point quarters since the 1996-97 season. Booker also became one of nine players in NBA history with multiple 60-point games, nearly seven years after his career-best 70 in March 2017.

With their performances tonight, Luka (73 PTS) and Booker (62 PTS) become 2 of 9 players in NBA history to score 60+ in multiple games.

Wilt Chamberlain, 32
Kobe Bryant, 6
Damian Lillard, 5
Michael Jordan, 4
James Harden, 4
Elgin Baylor, 3
Karl-Anthony Towns, 2
Devin Booker, 2… pic.twitter.com/ZI7QHvTEPf
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) January 27, 2024

Incidentally, Embiid’s 70-point effort last week also came on a noteworthy date attached to Bryant — Jan. 22 — exactly 18 years after the former Lakers star dropped 81 against the Toronto Raptors.

Coincidentally or not, the league’s best scorers continue to honor Bryant, who ought to be smiling from up above.