Luka Doncic Sends Message After NBA MVP News
Luka Doncic delivered one of the strongest seasons of his career in his first full year with the Los Angeles Lakers. The 27-year-old guard appeared in 64 games and averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game while shooting 47.6% from the field, 36.6% from three-point range, and 78.0% from the free-throw line. He led the NBA in scoring, and his performance kept him firmly in the Most Valuable Player conversation throughout the season, with many around the league viewing his campaign as MVP-caliber.
Doncic initially fell one game short of the NBA's 65-game minimum required for major end-of-season award eligibility after he was forced to miss the final five games of the season with a hamstring injury. He had also missed some games earlier in the season, including two games in December, to be present for the birth of his daughter. In response, Doncic and his representatives filed an "Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge" with the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association, seeking an exemption.
On Thursday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the appeal was successful. The NBA and NBPA ruled in favor of both Doncic and Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, making each player eligible for 2025-26 end-of-season honors, including MVP and All-NBA consideration.
Following the ruling, Doncic released a statement on X: "I am grateful to the NBPA for advocating on my behalf and to the NBA for their fair decision. It was so important to me to be present for the birth of my daughter in December and I appreciate Mark, Jeanie, Rob, JJ, and the entire Lakers organization for fully supporting me and allowing me to travel to be there. This season has been so special to me because of what my teammates and I have been able to accomplish, and I am honored to have the opportunity to be considered for the league's end-of-season awards."
I am grateful to the NBPA for advocating on my behalf and to the NBA for their fair decision. It was so important to me to be present for the birth of my daughter in December and I appreciate Mark, Jeanie, Rob, JJ, and the entire Lakers organization for fully supporting me and…
— Luka Doncic (@lukadoncic) April 16, 2026
While the ruling preserves his awards eligibility, Doncic remains sidelined with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain suffered. He is expected to miss the start of the Lakers' first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets, and head coach JJ Redick has confirmed that both Doncic and Austin Reaves remain out indefinitely entering the series (via ESPN's Dave McMenamin)
The Lakers remain hopeful Doncic can return later in the first round if the series extends long enough. With the playoff schedule spaced out, there is a realistic window for him to rejoin the lineup as Los Angeles pushes deeper into the postseason.
Related: Lakers' JJ Redick Announces Bronny James Decision Before NBA Playoffs
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This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 9:31 AM.