Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic Maintains Strong MVP Outlook Next to Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic is one of the top way-too-early candidates to win the 2024 NBA MVP award, along with Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid.

LOS ANGELES — There is a lot of NBA season left to be played, but it's never too early for experts to create rankings for awards. Luka Doncic is in the early stages of creating a viable candidacy for the 2024 MVP award based on his success and the results the Dallas Mavericks are achieving as a team.  

On the latest edition of NBA.com's MVP ladder, Doncic continues to check in at No. 2 overall, trailing only Nikola Jokic, a two-time award winner. Doncic's latest performance, including 30 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists in a 104-101 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, only helped his ranking. 

"Leave it to Doncic and the Mavs to provide an early Thanksgiving feast on Wednesday with a nailbiter of a win over the Los Angeles Lakers," wrote Michael C. Wright. "The 24-year-old racked up 30 points, 12 rebounds, and eight dimes, including one zipped right in between James’ legs."

Doncic has routinely produced MVP-caliber results for the Mavs, earning four consecutive All-NBA First-Team nods. The main challenge has been insufficient success in the regular season win column to outcompete other top candidates. Dallas is fourth in the Western Conference with a 10-5 record. 

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The main factor for any MVP candidate will be to stay healthy enough to play enough games to remain eligible for end-of-season awards. No player is eligible for the MVP award unless they play at least 65 games. Doncic has not missed a game, even on the second night of back-to-backs. 

Luka Doncic Reacts to Mavs' Victory in 'Big Game' vs. Lakers

When surveying the landscape, reigning MVP Joel Embiid ranks immediately behind Doncic at No. 3. However, a rising candidate to watch is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whose Oklahoma City Thunder is second in the Western Conference with an 11-4 record through 15 games. 

The Mavs have handled the start of the season effectively despite many observers expecting somewhat of a sluggish result following an unprecedented 12-day international preseason trip with stops in Abu Dhabi and Madrid. Neither Dallas nor the Minnesota Timberwolves have been impacted thus far.