The NBA’s MVP race took a shocking turn on Monday night, and the sudden shift has favored Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic.
As the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat battled it out, the superstar center Nikola Jokic suffered an injury, which put the NBA world on notice.
Typically one to avoid notable setbacks, Jokic’s sudden knee injury had the Nuggets worried about his status for the remainder of the season.
The initial MRI results were promising, considering many were thinking the worst. However, that doesn’t mean Jokic will be back on the court right away. His season isn’t in jeopardy, but his MVP chances are. With at least one month of recovery, Jokic is no longer the favorite to win the NBA’s MVP award.
Where Does That Leave Luka Doncic?
Heading into Monday night’s slate, Luka Doncic held the third-best odds of winning MVP, according to FanDuel.
Now, he’s trailing just one player. Before the Los Angeles Lakers face the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, Doncic’s line is set at +430. The favorite is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is set at -425.
Beyond Luka and SGA is Cade Cunningham (+5000), Jalen Brunson (+7500), Victor Wembanyama (+7500), and Tyrese Maxey (+25000).
More NBA: How Nikola Jokic’s Injury Could Impact Nuggets’ Season
While Luka has had a few absences here and there this season, he has 23 games under his belt in 2025-2026. So far, he’s nearly having a career year in the scoring department.
Shooting 46 percent from the field, Doncic is producing 33.7 points per game. His previous career-high was during the 2023-2024 season, when he averaged 33.9 points.
Beyond his scoring, Doncic has produced 8.6 assists per game and has come down with 8.3 rebounds per game.
When on the court, Doncic’s Lakers hold a 16-7 record. Despite the occasional slip-ups and a recent three-game skid, which put the Lakers under a microscope, the Lakers remain one of the top teams in the Western Conference.
Heading into the action against the Pistons, the Lakers hold a 20-10 record. They are fifth in the Western Conference, trailing by a tie-breaker to the Houston Rockets. Meanwhile, Nikola’s Nuggets are 22-10, facing their biggest obstacle yet.
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