Luka Doncic put on another stellar performance as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Brooklyn Nets 116-99 at Crypto.com Arena. Doncic notched his second consecutive 40-point game, marking his sixth such performance in March. Despite his incredible run, Doncic expressed frustration over his MVP standings, noting a drop in the KIA MVP Ladder rankings.
Doncic slipped to fourth place, overtaken by Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic, with Wembanyama's defensive prowess-highlighted by 17 blocks in three games-earning him the top spot. Jokic's impressive averages of 22.7 points, 17.3 rebounds, and 16.7 assists per game also contributed to his rise. It's understandable why these shifts occurred, but for Doncic, being fourth after such a strong month must sting.
In March, Doncic has averaged 37.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 2.3 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game, propelling the Lakers to a 13-2 record. During Week 23, he maintained stellar numbers with 36.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 2.7 steals per game.
However, his 42.7% shooting efficiency might have been a slight detractor. Despite past criticisms of his defense, Doncic has shown growth, averaging 2.5 steals over his last 11 games, which has been a key factor in the Lakers' defensive improvement.
The decision to move Doncic to fourth seems more about the exceptional performances of Wembanyama and Jokic rather than any shortcomings on Doncic's part. Lakers fans, including teammate Austin Reaves, find it perplexing. Reaves commented, "And he continues to drop in the MVP race, which is insane to me."
Against the Nets, Doncic delivered with 41 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals, and one block. Despite these efforts, the MVP award seems elusive for Doncic this year, as prominent voices like Michael Wilbon have indicated he won't get their vote. Doncic has yet to win the MVP, only finishing in the top three once before, in 2023.
Looking ahead, Doncic will miss the chance to bolster his MVP case when the Lakers face the Washington Wizards due to a one-game suspension. As it stands, the MVP might remain just out of reach for Doncic this season.