ATLANTA – The records just keep on coming for Luka Dončić.
On Thursday, the Mavericks’ point guard was selected to the NBA All-Star game for the fifth straight time, including being voted as a starter for a franchise-record fourth time. Dončić’s five All-Star selections are one more than former Mavs guard Rolando Blackman and trails only Dirk Nowitzki (14) for the most All-Star selections in Mavs history.
In addition, Dončić joins Kobe Bryant, Isiah Thomas, Anthony Davis and LeBron James as the only players to earn five All-Star berths before turning 25 years old.
The All-Star game will be played on Feb. 18 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Dončić is second in the NBA in scoring (33.6), third in assists (9.3), ninth in steals (1.41), sixth in minutes (36.9) and also averages 8.5 rebounds per game.
Since the Mavs were in Atlanta, where they’ll play the Hawks on Friday, Dončić was invited to the TNT studios for the official All-Star announcement. He appeared on the TNT set after the All-Star selections were made.
“I remember when I was a kid I always tried to watch the All-Star game, but my parents wouldn’t let me,” he said. “It was like 3 a.m.”
Besides Dončić, the other Western Conference All-Star starters are Denver’s Nikola Jokic, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns.
The Eastern Conference All-Star starters are Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid, Boston’s Jayson Tatum, Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton and the Milwaukee Bucks’ duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
Dončić was the third overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft, and has been one of the best players in the league since his first season.
“I just wanted to be in the NBA — that’s all,” Dončić said. “My first year I didn’t know what to expect where I’m going to be.
“But I was just happy to be here and to play basketball at the highest level. I remember my first year — Lebron and KD — I was really excited to go against them.”
X: @DwainPrice
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