Luka Doncic’s MVP Path Just Got Clearer - Now the Lakers Need to Help Him Walk It
With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sidelined through the All-Star break, the MVP race just opened up in a big way - and Luka Doncic is standing front and center, ready to take advantage. The reigning MVP is dealing with an abdominal strain, and with the NBA’s 65-game minimum now looming large, his award eligibility is in serious jeopardy. That’s a major shift in the landscape, and it’s one that could tilt the MVP scales toward Doncic - but only if the Lakers hold up their end of the bargain.
Let’s be clear: Luka’s numbers are absurd. He’s leading the league in scoring while averaging 33.4 points, 8.7 assists, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals a night.
That’s not just MVP-caliber - that’s historic. He’s doing it all while logging 36 minutes a game and carrying a Lakers team that, without him, would be staring down the lottery.
But as we know, MVP isn’t just about stats. It’s about narrative.
It’s about team success. And it’s about timing.
Right now, Luka has the numbers and the story. What he needs is the wins.
The Lakers are currently sixth in the Western Conference, hovering just above the Play-In line. That’s not going to cut it if Luka wants to secure the league’s top individual honor.
Voters love a good story, but they also love a winning one. If Los Angeles can string together a strong post-All-Star run - especially while SGA is sidelined - it could be the push Doncic needs to finally claim the award that’s eluded him so far.
Right before the injury news, Doncic sat second on the NBA’s official MVP ladder behind Gilgeous-Alexander. But with SGA now expected to miss at least four more games, his path to hitting the 65-game mark is narrowing fast.
If he falls short, he’s out of the race, plain and simple. That would leave Luka as the clear frontrunner - assuming the Lakers can stay afloat.
Nikola Jokic is still lurking, of course, but he’s got his own availability concerns. He can only afford one more missed game this season before crossing the same eligibility threshold.
Victor Wembanyama has missed too much time already, and while Cade Cunningham is making noise, his candidacy feels like it’s still a year away from truly taking shape. This is shaping up to be a two-man race - and with SGA potentially out of the picture, it could become a one-man sprint.
The timing couldn’t be better for Doncic. After the blockbuster trade that brought him to Los Angeles, he showed up in the best shape of his career.
He’s embraced the spotlight, taken over as the face of the franchise, and delivered night after night. His shot creation is unmatched, his feel for the game is elite, and his ability to take over in crunch time has kept the Lakers in the hunt.
There’s no question he’s the engine that makes this team go.
And while Doncic isn’t openly campaigning for the award - he’s made it clear that winning matters more than personal accolades - there’s no denying what an MVP would mean for his legacy. Six All-Star appearances.
Five First Team All-NBA nods. He’s already a generational talent.
But adding that MVP trophy? That’s the kind of milestone that cements a player’s place in the pantheon.
So here we are. The opportunity is there.
The numbers are there. The narrative is building.
All that’s left is for the Lakers to rise to the moment. If they can rally around Luka and stack up some wins during this critical stretch, the MVP could very well be his to lose.
He doesn’t need to change anything - just keep doing what he’s doing. Keep putting up the monster stat lines.
Keep carrying this team. Keep reminding the league why he’s the most gifted offensive player on the planet.
The MVP is on the table. It’s time for Luka to feast.