The Los Angeles Lakers opened the 2026 NBA playoffs with a 107-98 Game 1 win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday, but attention quickly shifted off the court one day later when the league announced its finalists for the NBA MVP award. Lakers star Luka Doncic was not among the final three names despite leading the NBA in scoring during the regular season.
The league announced the finalists as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, and San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama. The omission of Doncic became a major talking point given his production and importance to the Lakers, who remain without him due to a Grade 2 left hamstring strain.
Doncic had recently thanked the NBA and NBPA after receiving relief under the league’s 65-game eligibility rule. “I am grateful to the NBPA for advocating on my behalf and to the NBA for their fair decision,” Doncic wrote on X. “This season has been so special to me because of what my teammates and I have been able to accomplish.”
Luka Doncic Left Off NBA MVP Finalists After Scoring Title Season
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic
Doncic finished the regular season averaging 33.5 points per game, the highest mark in the league. He also posted 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, producing one of the strongest all-around statistical seasons in the NBA.
Despite those numbers, he did not make the final three in MVP voting. Instead, the league selected Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic, and Wembanyama.
Gilgeous-Alexander led the defending champion Thunder to the top seed in the Western Conference and is in position to win the award for a second straight year. Jokic continued his elite production for Denver, having already won three MVP awards. Wembanyama helped lead the Spurs back into the playoffs and was named a finalist after a breakout campaign.
Doncic’s omission stood out further because he became the only player in the last 10 seasons to win the scoring title without being named an MVP finalist.
The Lakers guard had narrowly missed the 65-game threshold after traveling to Slovenia for the birth of his daughter, but the league granted him relief and restored his eligibility for postseason awards.
In his public statement, Doncic added that it was “so important” for him to be present for that family moment and thanked the Lakers organization for supporting the trip.
Los Angeles Lakers Focus on Playoffs Without Luka Doncic
GettyLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James
While award season created headlines, the Lakers remain focused on their first-round series against Houston.
Los Angeles won Game 1 without Doncic and Austin Reaves, who have also been sidelined since April 2 with a left oblique strain. Both players remain out as the team continues to evaluate recovery timelines.
Without their two leading scorers, the Lakers leaned on veteran leadership and timely shooting in the opener. LeBron James finished with 19 points, 13 assists, and eight rebounds. Luke Kennard added a playoff career-high 27 points while shooting 5-for-5 from three-point range.
The Lakers also received strong support from Deandre Ayton, who posted 19 points and 11 rebounds, helping Los Angeles control key stretches of the game.
Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena, where the Lakers will try to build a 2-0 lead before the series shifts to Houston.
The status of Rockets star Kevin Durant also remains uncertain after he missed Game 1 with a right knee contusion.
For the Lakers, the immediate priority is health rather than awards. Even with the MVP disappointment surrounding Doncic, the organization remains hopeful that he and Reaves can return later in the series if recovery continues to progress.
For now, Los Angeles has a playoff lead. But the absence of one of the league’s top players remains the biggest storyline moving forward.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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