Luka Dončić’s explosive stats have made him a top MVP candidate, but his defensive flaws are costing him the race.
As the 2025–26 NBA regular season heats up, Luka Dončić is once again delivering a historic campaign. The Los Angeles Lakers star is averaging 33.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, leading the league in scoring and surpassing 30 games with 30+ points. Offensively, he remains one of the most unstoppable forces in basketball.
However, despite these eye-popping numbers, Dončić has been slipping in the MVP race—reportedly falling out of the top four on several ballots. The controversy centers on one glaring issue: his defense.
According to Sports Illustrated reporter Chris Mannix, Dončić’s defensive struggles have become a significant liability. Advanced metrics show his defensive rating sits at 115.6, ranking 119th among players with at least 25 starts this season—well below average.
In comparison, fellow MVP contenders like Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rank among the league’s top 30 in defensive efficiency, while Nikola Jokić maintains a solid middle-tier defensive presence. Dončić, by contrast, offers minimal impact on that end of the floor.
Three key issues define his defensive shortcomings:
- Slow lateral movement: He struggles to stay in front of quick guards like Stephen Curry, often getting beaten off the dribble.
- Questionable defensive effort: Critics point to lapses in focus, particularly in help defense situations, where he can appear disengaged.
- Targeted by opponents: Teams frequently hunt mismatches against Dončić, exploiting him in isolation. Opponents’ shooting percentages increase by roughly 12% when he is the primary defender, making him a clear weak link in the Lakers’ defensive scheme.
Meanwhile, his MVP rivals continue to shine on both ends. Wembanyama anchors the paint with elite rim protection, averaging 3.1 blocks per game while leading the Spurs up the Western standings. Gilgeous-Alexander combines scoring and elite perimeter defense as the Thunder sit atop the league. Even Jokić, known more for offense, provides a more consistent defensive presence than Dončić.
The MVP criteria in today’s NBA has evolved beyond pure statistics. Voters increasingly value two-way impact and team success. While Dončić’s offensive brilliance is undeniable, his defensive deficiencies place him at a disadvantage in the race.
With the regular season entering its final stretch, Dončić’s path to MVP redemption is clear: maintain his offensive dominance while making tangible improvements on defense. Otherwise, despite a sensational season, he may once again fall short of joining the league’s MVP elite.
