Giannis Antetokounmpo had very high praise for Luka Doncic following the Lakers’ 138-117 win over the Heat on Sunday.
Doncic finished with 42 points (14-for-24 from the field, 6-for-15 from 3), seven rebounds, 13 assists and two steals, notching his fourth 40-plus point performance in the last five games as the Lakers improved to 6-2.
“Obviously he’s one of the best scorers to ever play this game, if not the best,” said Antetokounmpo, who had 30 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, one steal and two blocked shots.
“Right now?” asked a reporter.
“Not right now,” Antetokounmpo said. “Of all-time. I feel like some people are scared to say that. But it’s got to be out there. He’s also an elite passer.”
Doncic is averaging a league-leading 38.3 points on 50% shooting from the field (43% from beyond the arc), eight rebounds and 8.1 assists this season. His 13 assists were a season high. In Sunday’s game, Dončić became the first Laker player to score at least 20 points in the first half in five straight games since Kobe Bryant in 2007.
Doncic is earning a lot of early MVP chatter. He has never finished in the top-two for the award despite leading the league in scoring twice (2023-24 and 2025-26) and carrying the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals.
When Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP and one-time champion in 2021, was asked if Doncic should get more consideration for the award, he didn’t hesitate.
“Is he an MVP-caliber player?” Antetokounmpo asked. “I think, no doubt. He’s been up there. He’s definitely up there this year. Like, what he’s doing is incredible. And not only that, but his team is winning, and their offense is good, everybody is being involved, they’re in a good place right now. So, yeah, a guy who’s averaging 38 and his team is winning, he’s definitely got to be in the MVP discussion.”
