Luka Doncic is putting on a show for the Los Angeles Lakers, night after night, yet somehow, he’s not the frontrunner for MVP. Leading the league with an impressive 33.7 points per game, along with 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds, Doncic recently slipped from No. 2 to No. 5 in the latest Kia MVP Ladder Rankings. It’s clear this dip is weighing on the Lakers' star point guard.
After dropping 41 points in a win against the Brooklyn Nets, Doncic didn’t hide his frustration with the MVP race. He’s been on a scoring tear, putting up 30+ points in 12 consecutive games, a feat no Lakers player has achieved since Kobe Bryant. In March alone, Doncic is averaging 37.2 points per game, including a jaw-dropping 60-point performance against the Miami Heat.
Doncic has hit the 40-point mark six times this month, making him a nearly unstoppable force. Yet, at 27, he’s still waiting for the recognition that comes with an MVP award. Austin Reaves echoed Luka’s sentiments, expressing confusion over the rankings.
Meanwhile, San Antonio Spurs’ sensation Victor Wembanyama has climbed to the top of the MVP Ladder, moving up from third. While Wembanyama’s defensive prowess is undeniable, it’s puzzling how Doncic has fallen three spots during his red-hot March. Previously a favorite at NBA betting sites, Doncic has propelled the Lakers to third in the Western Conference, positioning them for home-court advantage in the playoffs.
Doncic is arguably the league’s purest scorer, and MVP talk often centers on players who make a significant impact on their teams. He’s doing just that for Los Angeles. While Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Nikola Jokic - who’s flirting with a triple-double average - are all in the mix, Doncic deserves to be leading this conversation.
The Lakers have won 14 of their last 16 games, and Doncic has been at the heart of it all. Unfortunately, he’ll miss the upcoming game against the Washington Wizards due to a suspension for his 16th technical foul of the season. But make no mistake, there’s little more Luka can do to prove his MVP worthiness.