Luka Dončić's Injury Casts Doubt on MVP Chances

Even before his hamstring issue, Dončić's MVP case wasn't a sure thing.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:22pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the abstracted forms of basketball players in motion, with vibrant colors and overlapping planes capturing the energy of the sport.As the MVP race intensifies, Dončić's injury casts doubt on his chances of winning the award, despite his historic statistical dominance.Oklahoma City Today

Luka Dončić left Thursday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a hamstring injury, casting doubt on his chances of winning the NBA MVP award. Dončić has been having a dominant season, leading the league in scoring and guiding the Lakers to a top-3 seed in the West. However, with the Thunder and Spurs also having standout seasons, Dončić's case for MVP may not be as clear-cut as it once seemed.

Why it matters

Dončić's injury comes at a crucial time, as the final games of the regular season will likely determine the MVP race. His statistical dominance and the Lakers' success have made him a leading candidate, but the rise of players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama could overshadow Dončić's campaign if he misses significant time.

The details

Through 64 games, Dončić is averaging 33.5 points, 8.3 assists, and 0.616 true shooting percentage, while maintaining a 38.1 usage rate and 40.5 assist rate. However, the timing of his injury, which occurred in a blowout loss to the Thunder, could hurt his chances, as the narrative has shifted to the Thunder's quest to repeat and the Spurs' challenge for the top spot.

  • Dončić left Thursday's game against the Thunder with a hamstring injury.
  • The final games of the regular season are approaching, with the MVP race heating up.

The players

Luka Dončić

The NBA's leading scorer, averaging 33.5 points per game for the Lakers, a top-3 seed in the Western Conference.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The star player for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are on pace to finish with at least 10 more wins than the Lakers.

Victor Wembanyama

The rising star for the San Antonio Spurs, who are also challenging for a top spot in the West.

Nikola Jokić

The reigning MVP, who is having another dominant season for the Denver Nuggets.

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What they’re saying

“As we approach the final week of the regular season (that zoomed by, to be honest), the nature of online award discourse — particularly MVP — has reached nauseating levels.”

— Kelly Iko, Writer

“Dončić's case is straightforward: the NBA's leading scorer on a 50-win Laker team, a top-3 seed in the ever-arduous Western Conference.”

— Kelly Iko, Writer

What’s next

Dončić will undergo an MRI to determine the severity of his hamstring injury, which will impact his availability and chances of winning the MVP award.

The takeaway

Dončić's MVP campaign has been derailed by his recent injury, and the rise of players like Gilgeous-Alexander and Wembanyama has made the race more competitive. The final games of the season will be crucial in determining the MVP winner.