Luka Doncic delivered an MVP-caliber performance on Thursday as the LA Lakers defeated the Miami Heat, 134-126. After the game, Lakers coach JJ Redick was asked about his superstar’s case for the MVP award.
The Slovenian standout exploded for a season-high 60 points, along with seven rebounds and five steals. He dominated in the fourth quarter, scoring 20 points, including two 3-pointers in the final two minutes to seal the game and extend the Lakers’ winning streak to eight.
Despite playing on the road at Kaseya Center in Miami, Doncic drew loud MVP chants, and during the postgame press conference, Redick was asked why Doncic isn’t more prominently featured in MVP discussions, prompting a cheeky response from the coach.
“Because he complains to the refs. I don’t know.”
Doncic has become infamous for barking at referees, and he ranks second in the league in technical fouls this season with 15, according to Fox Sports, trailing only Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks, who has 16.
Doncic averages 10.3 free-throw attempts per game, the highest in the league, and makes 7.9 per contest, second only to reigning MVP and current frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who averages 8.1.
Over the Lakers’ last eight games — all victories — Doncic has put up averages of 40.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 7.4 assists.
Aside from his 60-point performance Thursday, he also recorded a 51-point outing against the Chicago Bulls with 10 rebounds and nine assists, along with two additional 40-point games.
Can Luka Doncic Realistically Win MVP?
In ESPN’s February MVP straw poll, widely regarded as a strong predictor of the award winner, Luka Doncic currently sits fifth with 177 points and zero first-place votes.
Gilgeous-Alexander holds the top spot with 930 total points. Behind him are Nikola Jokic at No. 2 with 700 points and Cade Cunningham with 382 points, though Cunningham may become ineligible following his collapsed lung diagnosis, while Victor Wembanyama ranks fourth with 242 points.
Doncic could still mount a late push for the award, especially if players ahead of him become ineligible, as may be the case with Cunningham.
Gilgeous-Alexander can only afford to miss five more games, while Jokic can miss just one more. Doncic himself has already missed 12 games this season and, like SGA, can only miss five more.
Doncic will look to stay hot as the Lakers continue their road trip Saturday against the Orlando Magic, Monday against a Cunningham-less Detroit Pistons squad, and Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers.
