Luka Doncic poured in 41 points during the Los Angeles Lakers’ victory over the Brooklyn Nets, yet his standing in the NBA’s Most Valuable Player race continues to slip, according to public tracking. Austin Reaves, speaking on the court immediately after the win, said he is baffled by the trend.
“He continues to drop in the MVP race, which is insane to me,” Reaves said. “Maybe he’s gotta score 60, I don’t know.”
Doncic, who leads the league in scoring and has raised his average with several high-volume outings over the past month, echoed that frustration. Answering in Spanish, he said he hopes to claim the award but is uncertain how to influence voters.
“Hopefully, but the better I play the more I go down in ratings, so I don’t know what more I can do,” the guard stated.
The Mavericks star—acquired by Los Angeles before the 2025-26 campaign—has the Lakers positioned to host the opening round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs and has keyed one of the NBA’s top offenses. Despite those credentials, observers have noted that candidates such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić and Victor Wembanyama are drawing heavier support from media and fans.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick recently added his voice to Doncic’s cause, telling reporters he has received everything he envisioned from the All-Star and believes the production merits MVP recognition.
Los Angeles’ win over Brooklyn improved the club’s record during a stretch in which it has looked like a legitimate title contender. While the team’s national profile remains large, Reaves and Doncic suggested that broader exposure may be working against the guard in awards discussions.
Source: LakersNation.com
