Luka Doncic finishes 5th in 2022 NBA MVP voting

The Dallas Mavericks got off to a slow start this season as superstar Luka Doncic played his way back into shape, but after the calendar flipped to 2022, he and his team were arguably the best in the league. Luka averaged 29.8 points, 9.7 rebounds, 8.9 assists, and 1.2 steals as the Mavericks went 35-12. Only the Phoenix Suns had a better record in 2022.

Doncic played his way into the MVP conversation down the stretch, but he could not close the gap on frontrunners. The Mavericks superstar deserved votes, and he comfortably finished fifth in the MVP voting behind Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Devin Booker.

Luka has made it clear that he is not chasing MVP honors. The 23-year-old superstar is strictly concerned with team success, and he plans on leading the Mavericks to the NBA championship. The team's slow start coupled with his MVP finish will play a role next season, though.

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic finishes 5th in 2022 NBA MVP voting

Doncic finished sixth in the MVP voting in 2021 after being fourth in 2020. The Mavs superstar would have been firmly in the conversation to win the award if he came into the season in shape and ready to handle his massive workload. Luka is capable of winning the MVP award every year, but he needs to put together incredible numbers for the entire season, and not just three-plus months.

Expect Luka Doncic to use his MVP finish as motivation heading into next season. The 23-year-old superstar needs to stay committed to his diet in the offseason. Doncic plans on playing in EuroBasket this summer before returning to Dallas for training camp. Expect Luka to be in fantastic shape and ready to hit the ground running in the 2022-2023 season.

Doncic is the first Mavericks to finish inside the top six in MVP voting three straight years since Dirk Nowitzki from 2005 to 2007. The 23-year-old is one of the league’s best players, and he is quickly becoming an all-time great. Stay tuned to see what Luka can do next.