The NBA announced on Apr. 19 the finalists for the Most Valuable Player award for the 2025-26 season, naming Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, and Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets. Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic was not included among the top three despite a strong season.
Doncic’s omission from the list follows a left hamstring strain that ended his regular season early. He played in 64 games, just below the league’s minimum requirement of 65 games to qualify for end-of-season awards. However, he filed an Extraordinary Circumstances appeal due to missing two games in December for the birth of his daughter, which was accepted by league officials and made him eligible.
During this season, Doncic led all players in scoring with an average of 33.5 points per game along with 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game while shooting nearly 48 percent from the field and over 36 percent from three-point range. He also earned multiple Player of the Month honors in the Western Conference and helped lead his team to a notable record during March before his injury.
Despite not being named an MVP finalist, Doncic is expected to be recognized as an All-NBA First Team member for what would be his sixth time when those honors are announced soon.
In a statement following news that he would remain eligible after receiving approval on his appeal, Doncic said: “I am grateful to the NBPA for advocating on my behalf and to the NBA for their fair decision. It was so important to me to be present for the birth of my daughter in December and I appreciate Mark, Jeanie, Rob, JJ, and the entire Lakers organization for fully supporting me and allowing me to travel to be there. This season has been so special to me because of what my teammates and I have been able to accomplish, and I am honored to have the opportunity to be considered for the league’s end-of-season awards.”
Observers will now look ahead as All-NBA teams are set to be announced in coming weeks.
