Luka Doncic passes Victor Wembanyama as NBA MVP favorite after historic start to season

LOS ANGELES — Two weeks into the NBA season, Lakers guard Luka Doncic has emerged as the favorite to win the league's Most Valuable Player award, overtaking San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama in the latest odds released by BetOnline Sports & Casino.

Doncic has opened the 2026-27 season by playing some of the best basketball of his career, averaging an 38.3 points per game while shooting at career-high efficiency for the six-time All-Star.

His remarkable start has propelled him to the top of the MVP odds at 9/5 (+180), ahead of Wembanyama at 2/1 (+200) and reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder at 4/1 (+400).

Doncic's scoring average would rank as the highest in NBA history for a player other than Wilt Chamberlain if maintained over a full season. Chamberlain owns the four highest single-season scoring averages in league history, including his record 50.4 points per game during the 1961-62 season.

What makes Doncic's start particularly impressive is his shooting efficiency. He is connecting on 49.7% of his field-goal attempts, 42.7% of his 3-pointers and 88.7% of his free throws. All three percentages would represent career highs if sustained throughout the season.

While Doncic has established himself as one of the NBA's most prolific scorers since entering the league in 2018, his improved shooting has taken his offensive production to another level.

The 27-year-old Slovenian has also maintained his typically strong rebounding and assist numbers while increasing his production in steals and blocked shots, adding another dimension to his MVP candidacy.

For the Lakers, Doncic's early-season dominance offers an encouraging sign as the franchise looks to compete for another NBA championship. His ability to score at a historic pace while continuing to create opportunities for teammates makes him one of the league's most difficult players to defend.

Wembanyama entered the season as a leading MVP candidate, with the Spurs' 7-foot-4 center looking to build on his emergence as one of the NBA's most dominant two-way players. However, Doncic's extraordinary offensive production has been enough to move him ahead of the San Antonio star in the betting market.

Gilgeous-Alexander remains firmly in the race at 4/1, while Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is fourth at 9/1 and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic rounds out the top five at 10/1.

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham and Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey are tied at 25/1, followed by Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo at 28/1.

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg, one of the league's most promising young stars, is listed at 80/1, while New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson is at 100/1 and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell is at 150/1.

The MVP race remains in its earliest stages, with more than five months of regular-season basketball remaining. Injuries, team success and individual performances will all influence how the race develops.

But through the opening two weeks, no player has made a stronger statistical statement than Doncic.

Already one of the NBA's most accomplished offensive players, Doncic has yet to win a regular-season MVP award. His closest finish came in 2023-24, when he finished third in voting after leading the league with 33.9 points per game.

If his current production continues, Doncic could not only capture his first MVP award but also put together one of the greatest scoring seasons in NBA history.

For now, the message from the oddsmakers is clear: The road to the 2026-27 NBA MVP award goes through Los Angeles.