Luka Doncic is among a trio of stars poised to miss out on MVP consideration due to the NBA’s mandatory 65-game eligibility requirement. Despite an All-NBA caliber season, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar is reportedly appealing at least one of his missed games to qualify for the award, a move that drew a sharp critique from veteran coach and analyst Stan Van Gundy.
“The whole thing with his wife having a baby, c’mon! If that were the only games he missed, fine. Everyone has missed games for personal reasons!” Van Gundy said on The Lowe Post podcast. “We either have a line, or we don’t. If we have a line, let’s stick to it. He didn’t make the cut.”
San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama finds himself in a similar predicament, as late-season injuries have put his eligibility in jeopardy. However, Wembanyama still has a path to the 65-game threshold if he suits up this Friday against the Mavericks.
Meanwhile, Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham has already been officially disqualified from award contention. Despite an outstanding season that helped anchor the Detroit Pistons’ playoff push, a string of injuries prevented him from reaching the league-mandated game count, effectively ending his bid for individual honors.
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers
Would Doncic have a legitimate case to win?
If Doncic’s appeal prove successful, the conversation shifts to whether he actually has the resume to take home the hardware. While his eligibility is in question, his production is not.
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Statistically, Doncic is a juggernaut, leading the league in six major categories, including a NBA-best 33.5 points per game. However, his defensive impact remains a point of contention among voters; his rim protection metrics rank near the bottom of the league, which could hurt his standing in a crowded field.
Doncic’s path to the trophy is further complicated by the presence of Wembanyama, who has posted historic defensive numbers if he qualifies. Furthermore, perennial contenders like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic remain the favorites, as both have maintained elite production while leading their teams to the top of the standings.
The likelihood of a successful appeal
As Van Gundy noted, the NBA is unlikely to grant an exception for games missed due to personal matters, regardless of the circumstances. To date, the league has shown zero precedent for waiving the eligibility rule for personal decisions, making Doncic’s uphill battle for a nomination look increasingly improbable.
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