The NBA’s Most Valuable Player conversation began as a perceived two-man race between Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Other names, including Cade Cunningham, Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchell, and Jalen Brunson, briefly entered the fray. But over the past couple of months, a compelling case has emerged for a third contender: Luka Dončić. And it’s all backed by the numbers.
Dončić recently delivered another dominant performance, scoring 40 points with 9 rebounds and 10 assists in a victory over the Houston Rockets – securing the Los Angeles Lakers’ seventh consecutive win. The Lakers now sit third in the Western Conference, holding a 1.5-game lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves (currently without Anthony Edwards) and a 2.5-game advantage over both the Rockets and the Denver Nuggets. With the tiebreaker in their favor, a top-three seed in the West appears increasingly likely for the Lakers, a position largely fueled by Dončić’s return to peak form.
Since the All-Star break, Dončić is averaging a remarkable 33.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game, shooting 47.7% from the field and 41.6% from three-point range. He’s also contributing 1.7 steals and a blocked shot per game. During this stretch, the Lakers have gone 11-4, matching the pace of the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, and Atlanta Hawks.
Just last week, Dončić set a new career high with 51 points against the Chicago Bulls. Over his last 10 games, he’s averaging a rounded 35.0 points with remarkably efficient shooting percentages. It’s a level of play reminiscent of his Dallas days, and a key reason for the Lakers’ resurgence.
Dončić has never won the MVP award, but he has been a First Team All-NBA selection in each of the last five seasons (2020-2024). After a transitional year following his trade to the Lakers and the subsequent team adjustments, he appears to be fully back to his best. However, the numbers of Nikola Jokić, consistently exceptional, are potentially hampered by the Denver Nuggets’ recent struggles. The Nuggets are 7-8 since the All-Star break, a similar pattern that derailed Jokić’s candidacy last year against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Other potential MVP candidates are facing their own challenges. Cade Cunningham, while still performing well, has seen a slight dip in his overall impact. Jaylen Brown now shares the spotlight with Jayson Tatum in Boston. Mitchell has missed games due to injury, and Jalen Brunson is shooting just 44% from the field. Veterans Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant remain in the conversation, but are considered a step behind the leading trio.
The MVP race, once seemingly settled, is now a fascinating three-way battle. Jokić’s historical dominance is undeniable, but team success is often a crucial factor in MVP voting. Gilgeous-Alexander continues to be a force for the Thunder, but Dončić’s recent surge and the Lakers’ improved standing have injected new life into the competition.
The Lakers’ success is inextricably linked to Dončić’s performance. His ability to score, rebound, and facilitate at an elite level makes him a truly unique player. He’s not just putting up numbers; he’s leading his team to victories against quality opponents. This represents a narrative that resonates with voters, and it’s why Dončić is now firmly in the MVP conversation.
The question now isn’t whether Dončić *can* win the MVP, but whether he can maintain this level of play and lead the Lakers to a top-two seed in the Western Conference. The coming weeks will be crucial as the regular season winds down and the playoff picture becomes clearer.
As November wraps up, the real question in everyone’s mind is, will Nikola Jokic run away with his fourth MVP award in five years? Right now, on our 2025-26 NBA Most Valuable Player power rankings, it’s looking good.
The Nuggets are overly reliant on Jokic’s excellence and have looked a little out of shape every now and then. They’re still second in the west, with a 13-4 record, a record that Jokic feels is not worthy of how they’re playing. That’s the standard of excellence the Serbian puts himself and his team to.
The Lakers face the Golden State Warriors on March 22nd, a crucial matchup that will test their recent momentum. The Nuggets will be at home against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 23rd. These games, and the ones that follow, will be pivotal in determining the final MVP standings.
The NBA MVP race is rarely predictable, and this year is no exception. With three legitimate contenders playing at an exceptionally high level, the outcome remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: Luka Dončić has undeniably reopened the conversation and inserted himself into the heart of the battle for the league’s most prestigious individual award.
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