Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic had been playing at an MVP level, but disaster struck in Thursday’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Doncic was forced out of the game due to a left hamstring injury, and an MRI later revealed a Grade 2 strain that will keep him out for the remainder of the 2025-26 regular season and potentially beyond.
With Doncic slated to miss the next week-plus, he won’t be eligible for end-of-season awards as he will finish at 64 games, one short of the requirement. However, his agent Bill Duffy announced plans to apply for an “Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge” to the 65-game rule, via Shams Charania of ESPN.
“This season, Luka Doncic has performed at a historic level, leading the league in scoring, carrying the Lakers to third place in the Western Conference and placing himself in the middle of one of the most tightly contested MVP races in memory. To ensure that Luka’s incredible accomplishments this season are rightly honored and he can be considered for the league’s end-of-season awards, we intend to apply for an “Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge” to the 65-game rule.
“Luka missed two games this season for the birth of his second child in Slovenia. His daughter was born on Dec. 4 on another continent, and yet he was back in the United States competing with his team on Dec. 6. Luka has gone to great lengths to show up for his team and this league this season.
“His record-breaking season deserves to be noted in the history books, despite last night’s unfortunate injury and other extraordinary circumstances. We look forward to working with the NBAPA and the league office to ensure a fair outcome in this matter.”
The 65-game rule has come under scrutiny this season due to several other stars missing extended time because of injuries. The challenge that Duffy mentioned would allow Doncic to remain eligible for end-of-season awards — namely MVP — if approved by the NBA.
Doncic missed two games for the birth of his daughter in December, which should qualify as an extraordinary circumstance.
Doncic made a strong case for MVP after his month of March and all but locked up a spot on the All-NBA First Team. The 27-year-old deserves to be recognized for the season he had and it’ll be worth monitoring whether he’s granted an exception or not.
Austin Reaves gets into verbal altercation after Luka Doncic injury
Doncic spent several moments on the ground in pain after suffering his hamstring injury. During that time video caught footage of Austin Reaves and a Thunder fan getting into a verbal altercation due to an accusation Doncic was faking his injury.
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