Doncic Takes Early Lead in NBA MVP Race

On November 4, 2026, Luka Doncic sat atop the early NBA MVP prediction market after a remarkable opening stretch with the Los Angeles Lakers. His implied chances rose to about 35% by Wednesday morning, ahead of San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama at 30%. Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was also among the leading contenders. These market estimates are not NBA voting results and can change during the season.

Doncic has averaged a league-best 38.3 points, along with eight rebounds and 8.1 assists, over his first seven games. In Los Angeles’ 138-117 win over the Miami Heat on Monday, he put up 42 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds.

That followed a 45-point, 15-rebound game against the Toronto Raptors the night before. Doncic has reached at least 37 points in five straight games, including four outings with 40 or more.

The Lakers’ victory over Miami lifted them to 6-2, giving the team an early foothold among Western Conference contenders. Doncic has regularly been considered one of the league’s top players but has not won the regular-season MVP award.

Wembanyama, Gilgeous-Alexander and three-time winner Nikola Jokic are among the players competing for the honor. The season has only begun, and sustaining Doncic’s current production across the 82-game schedule will be a challenge. For now, his scoring and the Lakers’ start have put his first MVP bid firmly in the spotlight.