Luka Doncic's campaign for his first NBA MVP award is gaining momentum, even as the Los Angeles Lakers navigate a difficult stretch. The team's recent 110-115 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on May 12, 2026, extended a tough run where they've lost four of their last five games. ESPN insider Tim MacMahon believes this context of lowered team expectations could be the perfect setup for Doncic to finally secure the league's top individual honor.
Why is Luka Doncic an MVP candidate for the Los Angeles Lakers?
Tim MacMahon laid out a clear case. He thinks the narrative is set for Luka. Expectations for the Lakers are as low as they've been since LeBron James arrived. If Doncic stays healthy and the team wins around 53 games, his numbers will make him a frontrunner.
"I think it’s pretty well set up for Luka to potentially win his first," MacMahon said. "If they win 53 games, which isn’t out of the realm of possibility if Luka stays healthy."
This perspective comes as the Lakers' recent form shows a 1W-0D-4L record, losing their last four contests. That slide underscores how vital a fully healthy and dominant Doncic is to any success. His stats have never been the problem. The challenge has been translating those numbers into enough team wins to satisfy MVP voters.
What has held Luka Doncic back from winning MVP before?
Doncic is widely seen as the best active player without an MVP trophy. Bad luck and timing have played a part. Elite competitors like Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have simply had better all-around seasons when the votes were counted.
The 2023-2024 season was his closest call, finishing third behind Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander. He led the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals that year, which validated his season but left him without the championship or the MVP award. Consistency at the very top has been his hurdle, not a lack of individual brilliance. You can track his progress and the team's performance on our [stats](/stats) page.
Can voter fatigue help Luka Doncic's MVP chances?
Another factor might swing in Doncic's favor. Voter fatigue is a real phenomenon in the NBA. Once a player wins multiple awards, the bar gets higher. Giannis Antetokounmpo experienced this after his two MVP wins. Even legends like LeBron James and Michael Jordan felt they missed out on more trophies for this reason.
Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander are now in that position. They may need to do something extraordinary to win again. This opens a window for a new narrative. Doncic becoming the undisputed franchise superstar for the Lakers post-LeBron and carrying them to a strong record would be a powerful story.
MacMahon believes that narrative, combined with Doncic's inevitable stellar statistics, creates a compelling case. The pressure is on supporting players like Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler to stay healthy and perform. If they do, and the Lakers approach 50 wins, nothing based on skill or results should hold Luka back from the MVP conversation. The team's current [standings](/standings) pressure makes every game important for building that win total.
