{"id":668547,"date":"2026-03-20T11:09:29","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T11:09:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/668547\/"},"modified":"2026-03-20T11:09:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T11:09:29","slug":"luka-doncics-60-point-game-thrusts-lakers-star-into-mvp-debate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/668547\/","title":{"rendered":"Luka Doncic’s 60-point game thrusts Lakers star into MVP debate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

MIAMI\u00a0\u2014\u00a0The chants started in a purple-and-gold-clad cluster in the upper deck at Kaseya Center. As Luka Doncic<\/a>\u2019s scoring total crept up with each step-back three, free throw or fadeaway shot, the cheers grew louder, coming from every corner from fans dressed in every color.<\/p>\n

\u201cM-V-P! M-V-P!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I think every player wants to hear,\u201d Doncic said.<\/p>\n

Doncic\u2019s season-high 60 points \u2014 the first 60-point game for a Lakers player since Kobe Bryant\u2019s swan song in 2016<\/a> \u2014 led the Lakers to a 134-126 win over the Miami Heat<\/a> on Thursday. It was another exceptional feat in Doncic\u2019s late-season campaign for the NBA\u2019s most valuable player.<\/p>\n

The NBA\u2019s leading scorer poured in 100 points in less than 24 hours, helping the Lakers extend their winning streak to eight games. Doncic is averaging 40.9 points per game over the streak, shooting 42.2% from three-point range. He became just the seventh Laker to record a 60-point game, joining franchise legends Bryant, Elgin Baylor<\/a>, Wilt Chamberlain<\/a>, George Mikan<\/a>, Jerry West<\/a> and Shaquille O\u2019Neal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a superhero performance,\u201d Lakers coach JJ Redick<\/a> said.<\/p>\n

Doncic\u2019s dominance has rescued the Lakers, propelling them to season-best winning streak. The team\u2019s previous best winning streak was built by taking down bottom-feeding teams including New Orleans, Utah and Dallas. This streak is against some of the league\u2019s best: Six wins are against teams with a .500 record or better and five were against .600 teams. The Lakers have climbed from sixth to third in the Western Conference<\/a> in two weeks, netting critical tiebreakers against rivals Minnesota, Denver and Houston.<\/p>\n

\"Lakers <\/p>\n

Lakers star Luka Doncic, left, controls the ball in front of Miami\u2019s Bam Adebayo during the first quarter Thursday.<\/p>\n

(Rich Storry \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Doncic, in his first full season with the Lakers, began the year as one of the betting favorites to win MVP. But the Lakers went through December doldrums losing four out of five. He missed two games while traveling to Slovenia to be present for the birth of his second daughter, Olivia. When he returned, Doncic shot 24.5% from three over the next five games.<\/p>\n

Doncic\u2019s defense was criticized, along with his consistent complaining to referees. Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a>, who leads the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder with 31.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.6 assists, figures to still be the favorite in the MVP race, especially with the Thunder on a conference-best 10-game winning streak.<\/p>\n

Doncic\u2019s productions never dipped \u2014 he has maintained the league\u2019s top scoring average for most of the season \u2014 but his play still lacked the same zip that made him a must-watch star in Dallas.<\/p>\n

\"Lakers <\/p>\n

Lakers star Luka Doncic reacts after making a three-pointer in the third quarter Thursday against the Miami Heat.<\/p>\n

(Rich Storry \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The Lakers embodied some of their star\u2019s struggles. The team was sorting through injuries while trying to integrate new pieces. The chemistry \u201cwasn\u2019t there,\u201d guard Marcus Smart said.<\/p>\n

Finally, it all clicked, starting with Doncic.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust trusting my game,\u201d Doncic said of how he\u2019s reached this level at this stage of the season. \u201cI know some games I won\u2019t have it. … I\u2019ve been there, so you just got to trust in yourself. I got all the support from my teammates, which helps me a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Teammates cheered, jumped and raised their fists from the Lakers bench when Doncic made his final free throw to finish off his 60-point night. On a night when LeBron James tied the NBA\u2019s regular-season games played record, appearing in his 1,611th game and notching a 19-point, 15-rebound, 10-assist night, it was Doncic\u2019s final points that seemed to make James smile the widest.<\/p>\n

Doncic, who said the crowd\u2019s chants gave him goosebumps, added it \u201cmakes my heart happy\u201d seeing the reaction from all of his teammates.<\/p>\n

\"Lakers <\/p>\n

Lakers star LeBron James reacts to a free throw by teammate Luka Doncic in the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat on Thursday.<\/p>\n

(Rich Storry \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all know the talent that Luka is,\u201d Smart said. \u201cAnd when he gets in those modes, man, it\u2019s definitely a sight to see, and you don\u2019t want to miss it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before the game, Redick sarcastically wouldn\u2019t even utter the name of the award Doncic has positioned himself for, only saying he believed Doncic should be in the \u201cM-word conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n

If it\u2019s not the cheers from the crowd, Doncic doesn\u2019t care about the chatter either.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s you guys, the media,\u201d Doncic said. \u201cI ain\u2019t got nothing to do with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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