According to an MVP tracker that tallied ballots from several media members, Doncic received two third-place votes, four fourth-place votes and one fifth-place vote among 28 ballots. Only Khobi Price of the California Post and Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal placed him in their top three.
Lakers fans reacted strongly on social media, highlighting that Doncic previously earned two Western Conference Player of the Month awards and arguing that his late-season production warranted greater MVP consideration.
The reaction also reflected a broader conversation about MVP voting, with supporters contending that Doncic’s scoring title and all-around impact deserved more recognition than the final top-three finish.
On the court, Doncic will sit out Game 2 of the Lakers’ playoff series against the Houston Rockets due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain. He returned to Los Angeles after a week in Europe for specialized treatment and to spend time with his daughters, and a return for Game 4 or 5 remains possible if his recovery stays on track.
The Lakers-Rockets series will continue without Doncic in Game 2, with the team hopeful for a timely return. If necessary, the series could extend to a decisive Game 7, underscoring the ongoing focus on Doncic’s health and the playoff outlook for Los Angeles.
