Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks has been in the conversation as a possible MVP this year and with very good reason.
He is having perhaps the best season of his career and is putting up monster numbers.
For example, StatMuse pointed out that Doncic is earning 27.3 points per game without free throws this season.
That’s the most since the NBA merger decades ago and better than Michael Jordan, who had 26.9 points per game without free throws, and Kobe Bryant, who had 26.7 points per game without free throws.
Most PPG without free throws in a season (since the merger):
27.3 — Luka Doncic (this season)
26.9 — Michael Jordan
26.7 — Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/cnAUS63XPP— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 14, 2024
For 2023-24, Doncic is putting up 34.3 points, 9 rebounds, and 9.8 assists.
On Wednesday night, the Mavericks defeated the Golden State Warriors, another important win for the team.
Doncic scored 21 points, 3 rebounds, and 9 assists.
It was the first time in eight games that Doncic didn’t score a triple-double.
For the last seven games before that, he averaged 35 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 11.9 assists.
This was further proof that Doncic is having an MVP-caliber season, but will he win that ultimate prize?
Competition is tough, with Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jayson Tatum, and a few others also having incredible years.
More important for Doncic is him reaching the playoffs with his Mavericks.
Last season, they fell short and didn’t get to the Play-In Tournament.
Right now, the Mavericks are the eighth seed in the West with a 38-28 record.
That means they currently qualify for the Play-In and would have to face the Phoenix Suns if the tournament began today.
There are still a few more weeks for the Mavericks to improve their record.
Likewise, there are also a few more weeks for Doncic to improve his amazing season average.
NEXT: Mavericks Big Man Is Close To Tying Wilt Chamberlain Record