Luka Doncic drops in MVP race after surprise ranking update
The Los Angeles Lakers star has little room for error in the 2026 MVP race, and even one misstep could cost him valuable ground.
The latest update to the NBA MVP ladder for the 2026 season caused plenty of debate. Seeing Victor Wembanyama rise to the No. 1 spot caught many fans off guard, but what really stood out was Luka Doncic falling out of the top three altogether, a surprising development that’s still hard to explain.
Austin Reaves on Luka Doncic:
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 28, 2026
“He continues to drop in the MVP race, which is insane to me. I guess it don't really matter, maybe he's gotta score 60, I don't know.”
(h/t @BulletClubIta)pic.twitter.com/7pi1biEZyU
Doncic’s recent performances have been nothing short of spectacular. Over his last 10 games, the Los Angeles Lakers guard has averaged 39.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.4 assists, while taking on a leading role for the Lakers as they continue to solidify their position near the top of the Western Conference.
There seems to be little justification for “Luka Magic” not being at least among the top two MVP candidates, and he knows it.
“No matter how well I play, I keep dropping in the rankings, so I don’t know what else I can do,” Doncic said after Friday’s win over the Nets.
“The better I play the MORE I go down in the ratings… So I don’t know what more I can do” 😭
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) March 28, 2026
- Luka Doncic on the MVP race 💀 pic.twitter.com/5giIH8W4c1
One Game That Could Make a Difference
At a time when the MVP race is tighter than ever, even the smallest setback can have major consequences. And in Doncic’s case, that setback may come off the court.
NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Doncic will miss the Lakers’ next game after reaching the league’s limit for technical fouls:
Lakers' Luka Doncic has been suspended for Monday's game against the Washington Wizards after picking up his 16th technical foul.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 28, 2026
“Luka Doncic has been suspended for Monday’s game against the Washington Wizards after receiving his 16th technical foul.”
It’s a tough break at the worst possible time. If his nightly dominance hasn’t been enough to sway MVP voters, missing a game, especially for administrative reasons, could further hurt his case, as he loses another opportunity to add to his already elite numbers.
There’s also the looming issue of the NBA’s 65-game eligibility rule. If Doncic were to miss just a few more games, he could fall below the threshold required to qualify for major awards altogether. For a player putting up historic numbers, the margin for error is suddenly razor-thin.
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