The NBA released its list of MVP finalists, and one big omission was hard to miss: Luka Doncic. Even after having one of the league’s most dominant seasons, the Los Angeles Lakers star didn’t make the final three for the 2025–26 MVP award. Instead, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Victor Wembanyama were named as the official finalists.
This kind of omission makes you question how the MVP race was judged. When you compare Luka’s season to the other candidates, his numbers alone show he deserved a spot among the finalists.
A Historic Season
Doncic led the NBA in scoring with 33.5 points per game, along with 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists. He was close to averaging a triple-double for the whole season. These weren’t just empty stats, either. His play kept the Lakers going, especially when the team dealt with injuries and players had to adjust to new roles.
More importantly, this wasn’t the same Luka that critics had demeaned. Even more, this season showed a different side of Luka. The old idea that he doesn’t defend or help his team win didn’t really fit this year. His effort, focus, and control of the game all improved, especially in important moments late in the season. If the MVP is about value, it’s tough to find many players more important to their team than Doncic was to the Lakers.
Unfortunate Circumstances
Timing played a major role. Luka’s late-season hamstring injury halted his momentum at the worst possible moment, just as the MVP conversation was tightening. Even though he met eligibility through an exception to the 65-game rule, the missed time likely left a lasting impression on voters.
At the same time, the competition was stacked. Gilgeous-Alexander had been leading the race in many media circles, Jokic continued his all-around dominance, and Wembanyama’s two-way impact became impossible to ignore. In a crowded field, even a historically great season can get edged out if the narrative isn’t perfectly aligned at the finish line.
There’s also the broader issue that continues to linger around West Coast players, especially those on the Lakers. With many national media voters based on the East Coast, late-night games don’t always get the same consistent attention. That doesn’t excuse the decision, but it adds context to why certain performances may not resonate as strongly in real time.
A Motivational Snub
Doncic will likely finish just outside the top three when final voting results are revealed. A placement that doesn’t fully reflect the impact he had this season. But if anything, this kind of snub tends to carry over. Players remember moments like this, especially when the numbers—and the eye test—suggest they earned more recognition.
For the Lakers, the focus now shifts to the future. Individual awards are part of the story, but not the ending. And if this season proved anything, it’s that Doncic has already positioned himself in that MVP tier, whether the finalist list acknowledged it or not.
