Luka Doncic successfully appealed to become eligible for end-of-season awards despite not meeting the 65 games played threshold, but it wound up proving all for naught for the Los Angeles Lakers superstar in one regard.
When the 2025-26 NBA MVP finalists were announced this week, the group consisted of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, and Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic.
“Disappointed,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said of Doncic not being an MVP finalist. “I think he deserved to be there and I think all three guys that did end up being finalists had strong cases. A lot of this, unfortunately, is media momentum.
“Sometimes a team, I guess we underperformed even though we didn’t have any expectations coming into the year. But I guess we underperformed for a couple months despite him getting Player of the Month one of those months. The media momentum just never got built.”
Doncic twice was named Western Conference Player of the Month this season, with both instances coming after the calendar turned to 2026. Doncic’s sixth career Player of the Month recognition came in January and he earned it again for March.
Last month, Doncic led the NBA in scoring at 33.5 points per game to go along with 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.6 steals while shooting 47.6% from the field and 36.6% from 3-point range. Doncic’s elevated level of play was instrumental in the Lakers posting a 15-2 record during March and suddenly emerging as a potential championship contender.
But that unfortunately came to a crashing halt with Doncic and Austin Reaves both suffering season-ending injuries in the same game. Reaves reportedly is further along than Doncic in his recovery, but neither is considered to be on the verge of returning.
Are Lakers motivated by media?
A narrative has long formed of the Lakers not necessarily getting a consistently fair shake from some members of the media, which Redick didn’t necessarily dispel. He of course has added insight as a former media member himself.
“I think it’s the fascinating part about the Lakers. There’s probably a few other franchises that fall in this category. You’re living in this perfect gray at all times, where the expectations internally, the expectations from fans are one thing, and the expectations from the media can be a completely different thing,” Redick began.
“I worked in television for three years. I know it’s important for the producers of shows to talk about the Lakers, and not always in a positive way. That’s just part of this whole experience. Being on the other side of it gave me great, I think, perspective on that.
“I’m not motivated by internal or external expectations, or internal or external hate, or love, or anything like that. I’ve never been.”
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