Luka Doncic back in top 3 of Kia MVP ladder after winning Player of the Week

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic had a massive week. It started with a 50-point performance against the Rockets before he dropped 32-9-9 on the Lakers on Christmas Day. Doncic followed that with a 60-point triple-double in an overtime win over the Knicks, and he made it two straight triple-doubles on Thursday night as the Mavericks won their fourth straight game.

Two signature performances helped Luka secure Western Conference Player of the Week honors for the first time this season and the eighth time in his career. Doncic has been playing out of his mind all season, but he has taken his game to another level over the last seven days.

Friday marks the weekly update of NBA.com’s Kia MVP ladder. Luka had slipped to seventh last week, but a stellar week has him back in the top three for two simple reasons.

Luka Doncic is back in the top 3 of the Kia MVP ladder after winning Player of the Week

Doncic vaulted to third after picking up his signature performance of the season, and the Mavericks grabbed their four straight wins. Voters now have a single night that they can point to and say that was the game where Luka proved he deserves MVP. His 60-point 20-rebound triple-double was a first in NBA history. The wins have the Mavericks back in fifth in the Western Conference and just three games out of first.

Dallas will need to keep winning and number 77 must continue producing monster numbers if he wants to win MVP. He must be near the top in the league in scoring, and the Mavs will likely have to finish top four in the West for Doncic to receive serious consideration.

Luka Doncic moved back up to being the betting favorite to win MVP after his 60-point triple-double. Will he win his first NBA MVP honor? It is still too early to tell, but it is shaping up to be an exciting race between Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Jayson Tatum, and Doncic. Others could join that mix as the season progresses, so stay tuned for all the latest