Luka Doncic MVP Chances & AS.com Report

If Luka Doncic lacks something to achieve in his already extraordinary sports career apart from the ring, he is the MVP of the season. And the Slovenian seems determined to achieve it in the 2025-26 NBA basketball season. The Lakers fly at their own pace: 13-4 in the first 17 games, second in the ultra-competitive Western Conference behind the (in principle) unattainable Thunder, undefeated in the Cup that came to imitate the European model and qualified for the quarterfinals. All this by the work and grace of a heavenly Slovenian, who never stops breaking marks and records and which accompanies the best version of Austin Reavesa compensated squad with great tools and, now, also LeBron James, who has returned from his injury to continue making history and put the finishing touch to his spectacular sports career… still without revealing when he will retire, one of the topics of the moment and one of the most recurring questions, still unanswered.

In all of this, the support of the Lakers is none other than Doncic himself. After the fiasco in the first round last season (defeat against the Timberwolves 4-1), the Slovenian got to work with that of giving up gluten, doing intermittent fasting and spending the day in the gym to be in great physical shape. The Eurobasket with Slovenia was already simply splendid on an individual level and many doubted that it would remain in that state when the NBA arrived. And a small injury in the second game of regular season made him lose after consecutive games. A mere mirage: the point guard has stopped fooling around, he is taking it more seriously than ever, He fights against everything and everyone and is determined to write one of the greatest stories ever told: yours. And both his level and his physical form allow him to boast absolutely incredible numbers.

Doncic is averaging 35 points, 9.2 rebounds and 9.1 assists this season. The scoring figure is not only the highest in the NBA at this time, but the third highest of the 21st century after Kobe Bryant’s 35.4 in 2005-06 and James Harden’s 36.1 in 2018-19. Furthermore, and in the 14 games in which he has participated, he has added 14 double-doubles and 2 triple-doubles. He has exceeded 40 points on five occasions, 30 on 13 and 20 in all except the defeat against the Thunder, adding at least 1 steal in 12 of his 17 games and reaching a maximum of 5 in the Lakers’ victory against Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs. All this without stopping rebounding or supplying balls to his teammates, which leaves him fooling around with an average triple-double, something that only Oscar Robertson, Russell Westbrook (four times) and Nikola Jokic have achieved in NBA history.who achieved it last year and this year he is on his way to achieving the same.

Can Doncic win the MVP?

For all this, the Slovenian could win the MVP of the season. And for more things: despite averaging 33.5% in triples, the worst figure since his sophomore year, Doncic is close to 60% in shots from two, a figure typical of legendary centers like Shaquille O’Neal or current players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, belonging to zone-based playing styles. This is, in addition to his particular brilliance, due to JJ Redick’s system and the positioning of DeAndre Ayton on the court: the center, a brand new signing, moves in positions further away from the rim than one might initially think and is above 60% in shots outside the zone, which frees up spaces and allows the Slovenian to penetrate easily. And the three-point percentage will tend to rise, especially if we take into account that LeBron’s return will generate more space for more comfortable outside shots.

Doncic, who also leads the competition in free throws made (9.9) and attempted (12.3) and generates 22 points per game with his assists alone, will fight for the MVP with the usual players: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32.8+4.7+6.4 average)the incredible Nikola Jokic (29.2+12.3+11, leading the competition in rebounds and passes to the basket) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (28.9+10.1+6.1). Between them three have shared six of the last seven awards with the exception of the one that Joel Embiid won and the Greek could have it more complicated or could be directly ruled out if the Bucks do not wake up (10-15, tenth in the East) and with the star, currently injured, fighting with his own franchise and a foot and a half out of it. Besides, The Lakers are interested in staying in the noble zone of the Westsince traditionally a good record is what accompanies this distinction. The Thunder are unattainable, but being alongside the Nuggets and Rockets (and staying there: there is still a lot left) would increase the Slovenian’s chances, who has to reach the magic barrier of 65 games (He has missed 6 games due to injuries and his recent fatherhood). Something that is almost impossible for a Victor Wembanyama who could also be in the fight.

This is how things are, with the attempts of one and the problems of others within an ecosystem in which individual awards matter a lot. Legacy is an incredibly discussed topic in an NBA that waits for no one and who lives by handing out prizes left and right to consolidate careers or destroy them. In that is Luka Doncic, having a magnificent season, practically a dream. But this has just begun, as it were, and everything will depend on what happens in the coming months, in which anything can happen. Together with LeBron, together with Reaves and together with a well-constructed squad, the Slovenian Lakers think about the ring. But the point guard also wants other things. And the MVP is one of them. Something that would consolidate his extraordinary figure in a competition that has elevated him from the beginning and that he hopes that he will rise to the occasion at this time. Which is when it’s time, of course. The Lakers are looking for the ring. Luka Doncic too. And if you can take the MVP along the way, better than better.

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