Luka Doncic Should Be MVP If Lakers Stay Hot, Says Redick

Lakers coach JJ Redick believes Doncic deserves MVP if he and the Lakers finish the season strong.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:05am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting Luka Doncic's basketball skills and the Lakers' team dynamics through sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant colors like royal blue, crimson red, and metallic gold.Luka Doncic's MVP-caliber season has the Lakers surging up the standings, with his coach JJ Redick believing he should win the award if the team's hot streak continues.Los Angeles Today

Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick believes that if Luka Doncic and the Lakers continue their recent hot streak to close out the regular season, Doncic should be named the NBA's Most Valuable Player. Redick pointed to Doncic's impressive stats and the Lakers' surge up the standings as evidence that the 27-year-old superstar is deserving of the award.

Why it matters

Doncic has been a perennial MVP candidate in recent years but has yet to win the award. This season, he is leading the league in scoring and has helped propel the Lakers back into contention in the Western Conference after a slow start. Redick's endorsement could sway some voters if the Lakers and Doncic maintain their current level of play.

The details

Redick noted that Doncic has been dominant since the end of February, averaging 36.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 2.3 steals while shooting 49.3% from the field and 39% from 3-point range. The Lakers have gone 14-2 during that stretch, surging to third place in the West. Redick also highlighted Doncic's strong start to the season, saying he could have been the MVP frontrunner at that point. Overall, Redick believes Doncic is "the engine that's driving all of our winning" for the Lakers.

  • Since Feb. 28, Doncic has averaged 36.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 2.3 steals.
  • The Lakers have gone 24-10 since Jan. 18, the second-most wins in the NBA in that span.

The players

Luka Doncic

A 27-year-old superstar guard for the Los Angeles Lakers who is leading the NBA in scoring this season and has been a perennial MVP candidate in recent years.

JJ Redick

The head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers who believes Doncic should be the NBA MVP if the Lakers continue their recent hot streak.

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What they’re saying

“If we continue to finish the season the way we're playing right now, and he continues to play that way -- to me, he is the MVP.”

— JJ Redick, Head Coach, Los Angeles Lakers

“He's the engine that's driving all of our winning. Certainly, we have a ton of guys starring in their roles, but he's the driver.”

— JJ Redick, Head Coach, Los Angeles Lakers

“The better I play, the more I go down in rankings. So, I don't know what more I can do.”

— Luka Doncic

The takeaway

Luka Doncic's dominant play and the Lakers' recent surge have put him firmly in the MVP conversation, and his coach JJ Redick believes he should win the award if the team continues its hot streak. Doncic has been overlooked for the MVP in recent years despite his consistently elite production, and this could be the season he finally breaks through and claims the trophy.