Luka Doncic has quietly been having the best season of his career without generating much MVP buzz. He’s storming back into the conversation after a 50-point and 15-assist performance to lead the Mavericks to a win over the Suns on Christmas. This has led teammate Derrick Jones Jr. to praise Luka in complete astonishment at how proficient he’s been as a scorer and playmaker.
“I have never been on a team where someone is scoring the ball like this at such a high rate and also getting his teammates involved and making sure that everybody feels comfortable on the floor. It’s incredible. It’s amazing. I have never seen this before.”
Derrick Jones Jr. on playing with Luka Doncic: "I have never been on a team where someone is scoring the ball like this at such a high rate and also getting his teammates involved and making sure that everybody feels comfortable on the floor. It's incredible. It's amazing. I have…
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) December 26, 2023
In the win over the Suns, Luka was responsible for a whopping 92 of the Mavericks 128 points on the night. This isn’t even counting the 10 catch-and-shoot threes his teammates missed on passes created by Luka, showing how expertly he demolished the Suns’ defense. They threw every defensive scheme they could at Doncic and he surgically picked everything apart, either creating shots for teammates on the perimeter or throwing picture-perfect inside passes to Dereck Lively II.
Derrick Jones Jr. had 23 points in the Mavs win last night. He has already surpassed his most made career threes in a season with two months on the Mavericks. In the seven years he spent in the NBA before this season, DJJ had just two 20-point games in 339 games played. Last night was his fourth 20-point game of the year. Six of his nine highest-scoring career games have come in the 29 games he’s played for Dallas this season.
He’s averaging 10.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in the best season of his career. He’s also proven to be an excellent defender for Dallas, along with a lob threat.
Should Luka Doncic Be An MVP Favorite?
Luka has made his case undeniable by averaging 33.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 9.4 assists this season. The Mavericks have been one of the most injury-stricken teams in the NBA, with Kyrie Irving missing the last eight games and various members of the rotation coming in and out of the lineup due to injuries. The Mavs are overachieving with an 18-12 record and the fifth seed in the West.
This year’s MVP race may be one of the most intense in recent memory, with five candidates, along with Luka, already clearly ahead of the league.
Reigning MVP Joel Embiid is having a historic year and looks like the favorite to repeat. He’s averaging 35.0 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists, on pace to become the first player since Wilt Chamberlain to average more points than minutes played.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is gunning for his third MVP, leading the Bucks to the No. 2 seed in the East while averaging 30.8 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 5.5 assists. He’s arguably in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year again, so his incredible two-way utility will boost his case.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.4 assists on the Thunder, a shocking No. 2 seed in the West. He’s also leading the league in steals, making a compelling case as arguably the best two-way guard in the NBA.
Reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokic is in a slump compared to the rest but is still a candidate that cannot be ruled out. He’s averaging 26.4 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 9.2 assists but the Nuggets look on pace to remain a top-three seed in the West, barring any major setbacks.
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