Luka Dončić is the latest NBA MVP candidate in danger of missing out on the marquee award after his latest injury. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar was ruled out of Thursday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half with a hamstring issue.
Should the mercurial guard be unable to play another contest before the regular season ends on April 12, he will be ineligible for any major postseason awards. The NBA has a strict criterion that players have to play a minimum of 65 games to be in contention.
How Luka Dončić’s Injury Impacts the NBA MVP Race
With Dončić’s injury, the NBA MVP race will surely see some changes in the mix. San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama and Thunder mainstay Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will continue battling for the top position.
The Lakers star, who had dropped down in the standings earlier, will also likely see Boston Celtics’ All-Star wing Jaylen Brown move past him. This would mean Wembanyama, Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić, and Brown taking the top four, while Dončić will tumble if he misses extensive time.
Brown’s jump comes after his 43-point masterclass against the Miami Heat. Recent production indicates Wembanyama is the favorite to win his first NBA MVP.
The big man has been in scintillating form, averaging 24.7 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks in 61 games. With six games remaining in the regular season, he is a cinch to win the award as the Spurs look to extend their 10-game winning streak.
Gilgeous-Alexander continues to be a 30-point metronome, averaging 31.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in 65 games. Jokić has played 61 games this season, propping up 27.7 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 10.8 assists. However, he is expected to hit the 65-game number to make his case.
Brown has already surpassed the 65-game threshold. In his 67 games, he’s averaging 28.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. The former NBA Finals MVP is still looked at as the possible surprise candidate to win the award.
What is confirmed is that Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons) and Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves) are ineligible this season.
With the regular season inching to a close, all eyes will be on Dončić to see if he can recover in time to return to the MVP race. He is averaging a league-high 33.5 points per game this season, along with 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game.
The Slovenian was previously asked about his take on why he deserved to win the MVP. After their statement win over the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this week, Dončić had a crisp response.
“I mean, I never did that, so I’m not the one voting,” Dončić told the reporters after the game. “But I think I’ve been playing pretty well, we’ve been winning, so that’s it. That’s all I got to say.”
Only time will tell if Wembanyama takes his maiden NBA MVP this season, or if there is a twist in store.
