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Derek Fisher on Luka Doncic MVP
The MVP race has taken shape late in the NBA season, but Luka Doncic’s recent surge may not be enough to place him at the center of the conversation, according to former Los Angeles Lakers guard Derek Fisher.
Speaking during live commentary, Fisher explained why Doncic’s name has not consistently appeared among the top MVP candidates despite his scoring run. “The best players on the top teams are already kind of baked into the voters’ minds,” Fisher said. “And so Luka’s run in March and coming out of All-Star break, it’s been an added conversation. But not part of the main conversation of SGA, Wemby, Joker, Jaylen Brown type guys.”
“ The best players on the top teams are already kind of baked into the voters’s minds. And so Luka is run in March and coming out of All-Star break, it’s been an added conversation. But not part of the main conversation of SGA, Wemby, Joker, Jaylen Brown type guys.”
Derek Fisher
The comments come as Doncic leads the league in scoring at 33.7 points per game while averaging 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists. His production has powered the Lakers into the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, with the team winning 12 of its last 13 games and emerging as one of the hottest teams in the league.
Even with this late-season surge, the MVP discussion has largely revolved around players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, and Jaylen Brown, all of whom have shown consistent performance throughout the season.
Derek Fisher’s perspective on Luka Doncic MVP case
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic
Fisher’s assessment centered on timing and narrative. While Doncic has been dominant since the All-Star break, averaging 35.5 points per game and extending a streak of 30-point performances, his surge came after many voters had already formed opinions.
That late push has still been significant. The Lakers have gone 15-5 in games Doncic has played since the break, and his individual output has included multiple 40-point games and a sustained stretch of elite scoring.
Head coach JJ Redick offered a different view on the race. “If we continue to finish the season the way we’re playing right now and he continues to play that way, to me, he is the MVP,” Redick said.
Redick added that Doncic’s performance has been consistent across multiple segments of the season, noting, “He’s been the MVP for two of the three segments of the season.”
Still, Fisher’s point reflects how MVP voting often prioritizes season-long narratives. Players who established early momentum and team success have remained central in discussions, even as Doncic’s numbers have surged late.
Luka Doncic compared with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic
The broader MVP field remains competitive, with multiple players posting elite numbers across different categories.
Gilgeous-Alexander has been a leading candidate throughout the season, anchoring one of the league’s top teams. Jokic continues to deliver historically efficient production, averaging 27.9 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.8 assists, reinforcing his reputation as one of the league’s most complete players.
Wembanyama has also gained momentum, averaging 24.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks while contributing to a strong run of team success. His impact on both ends of the floor has positioned him among the rising contenders in the race.
Brown, meanwhile, has taken on a larger role for the Boston Celtics, averaging 28.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.2 assists while maintaining the team’s position near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Compared to those candidates, Doncic’s statistical profile remains strong. He leads the group in scoring and ranks among the top in assists and rebounds for his position. He has also recorded over 100 steals this season, becoming the first Laker since Kobe Bryant in 2012-13 to combine 30-plus points per game with that defensive milestone.
As the regular season enters its final stretch, the MVP race remains fluid. Doncic’s late surge has reintroduced him into the discussion, but as Fisher noted, overcoming established narratives may prove to be the bigger challenge.
Debayan Biswas is a sports writer covering the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He focuses on breaking news, trades, and player stories. His work has been featured by Athlon Sports and Pro Football and Sports Network, with republication across platforms including Yahoo Sports and Yardbarker. More about Debayan Biswas
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