{"id":191044,"date":"2026-04-20T09:00:44","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T13:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=191044"},"modified":"2026-04-20T03:00:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T07:00:05","slug":"luka-doncics-mvp-appeal-all-for-naught-as-finalists-revealed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/04\/20\/luka-doncics-mvp-appeal-all-for-naught-as-finalists-revealed\/","title":{"rendered":"Luka Doncic’s MVP Appeal All for Naught As Finalists Revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"

A majestic March. An array of head-scratching performances. The NBA\u2019s scoring title (his second in three years).<\/span><\/p>\n

In the end, it didn\u2019t even matter.<\/span><\/p>\n

After a campaign for the ages and his first full season with the Lakers, <\/span>Luka Doncic<\/span><\/a> was not named a <\/span>finalist for this year\u2019s MVP award<\/span><\/a>, adding insult to literal injury as he recovers from a <\/span>Grade 2 hamstring strain<\/span><\/a>. Instead, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a>, Victor Wembanyama<\/a> and Nikola Jokic<\/a> will duke it out for the league\u2019s highest individual honor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Luka Doncic\u2019s Career Campaign Not Enough To Be MVP Finalist<\/h2>\n

In 64 games, Doncic averaged a league-high 33.5 points along with 8.3 assists (third best), 7.7 assists and 1.6 steals. He also shot 47.6% from the field and 36.6% from three, recording career-highs in both makes and attempts per game.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Don\u2019s heroics during a rollercoaster season ultimately fell short\u2014even after his Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge and some clever marketing by the Lakers\u2019 social media accounts.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Scoring champion. Top three in assists per game. Two-time Player of the Month. Four-time Player of the Week.<\/p>\n

Numbers don\u2019t lie. pic.twitter.com\/o80lqdGzg6<\/a><\/p>\n

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 16, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n