Victor Wembanyama laid out three reasons why he should win MVP last week in Miami, arguing his defensive impact, the San Antonio Spurs’ dominance over the Oklahoma City Thunder, and his offensive influence beyond scoring. The next MVP Ladder update arrived. Wembanyama sat at No. 1.
The Spurs star got what he wanted. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Dončić, meanwhile, took a different approach when reporters asked them to make their cases. They declined.
That decision drew sharp criticism from FS1’s Chris Broussard, who zeroed in on Dončić in particular.
Why Chris Broussard Criticized Luka Dončić’s MVP Silence
When asked to state his case after a 47-point performance on Monday, Gilgeous-Alexander laughed it off. “No, I’m good,” he said. “I let my game do the talking.”
Dončić echoed that sentiment the following night after dropping 42 on the Cleveland Cavaliers. “I never did that, so, I’m not the one voting,” he said. “I think I’ve been playing pretty good, we’ve been winning. That’s it.”
On “First Things First,” Broussard wasn’t having it. He understood Gilgeous-Alexander’s restraint, citing his existing MVP trophy and championship. But Dončić? Different story.
“I get it from SGA. He’s cool, you know, cool personality. He’s got his MVP. He’s got his championship. I get it,” Broussard said.
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“Luka, Luka, ya blew it. Here’s the deal: It worked. What Wemby said has worked without question. Now, I was on him before, right? I had him second. Still do. But the odds, Nick, you know this, he went from third to second and closer to first than he was.”
Broussard continued pressing his point: “Luka. Here’s Luka. And you were being polite. I get it, but you missed an opportunity.”
.@Chris_Broussard reacts to SGA & Luka not making an MVP case for themselves:
“I get it from SGA. He’s cool, cool personality. He’s got his MVP, he’s got his championship. I get it. Luka…Luka! Ya blew it! Here’s the deal guys, it’s worked! What Wemby said has worked!” pic.twitter.com/b4EsbLLv4M
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) April 1, 2026
Broussard argued that Dončić should have laid out his defensive credentials, noting the Los Angeles Lakers star’s defensive metrics.
He’s also averaging 1.65 steals per game while drawing 14 charges (seventh in the league) this season. His defensive estimated plus-minus sits at minus-0.6, closer to neutral than many voters assume, and his 4.2 deflections per 100 possessions rank in the 82nd percentile league-wide.
That is not elite, for sure. But he is not a “liability” on defense as most of the analysts claim.
On the same show, Nick Wright, who has been vocal lately about Dončić’s remarkable season being overlooked, once again spoke for him.
“In the last eight years, the MVP has led the league or tied for the league lead in Player of the Month awards,” Wright said.
“There’s only five awards given out every single time except for one guy who led the league in Player of the Month awards and didn’t win MVP. Luka two years ago when Brou and three other people voted for him for MVP and everyone else was like, ‘Ah, forget that guy. 33 points a game. It’s not like he could take the Mavs to the Finals.’ And then he did,” Wright continued.
Even without Dončić being vocal, the Lakers organization has been campaigning hard. JJ Redick, Rui Hachimura, and Austin Reaves have all made public pitches for their star, while the team’s social media has relentlessly pushed the message: “Numbers don’t lie.”
That is exactly where Dončić has been putting his efforts: pouring in the numbers that make and break the conversation.
