Dallas Mavericks: 5 reasons Luka Doncic should be considered for MVP

Why Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic should be considered for MVP: 4. Health

Games played are going to be a massive factor in the 2021 MVP race. All of the top players have missed time this season, but how much could separate the votes.

Joel Embiid and LeBron James were the two frontrunners early, but both have only played in 41 games on April 26. They could top out at 53 for the season. Is playing in 70 percent of your team’s games enough to win MVP?

Luka Doncic has only missed five of the Dallas Mavericks’ first 59 games this season. The 22-year-old played through nagging injuries to lift his team to the sixth seed over the last two months. It has been no easy task after the Mavericks started 8-13 and dealt with as many as five players being in the health and safety protocols. No matter what happened, Luka played and produced.

Doncic has played more games than Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden, and countless others. The only two in the MVP race that have played more than 54 games on the morning of April 26 are Nikola Jokic and Damian Lillard. The Blazers’ recent struggles have hurt Dame’s candidacy too.

Luka Doncic is in the MVP race because he has been outstanding and healthy in 2021.

Next: No. 3