Luka Doncic Named Finalist For NBA Most Improved Player Award

After taking home Rookie of the year honors last season, Dallas Mavericks standout Luka Doncic is in the running for another award this year. Doncic is one of three finalists for the NBA Most Improved Player award.

Although it’s just his second season, Doncic hasn’t experienced a sophomore slump like so many who enter the NBA at a young age. In fact, coming off the impressive season he had in his first year, the numbers he’s putting up now and the skill he shows on the court are remarkable.

This season, he’s seen statistical improvements almost entirely across the board. He’s averaging 29 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists. Doncic is also shooting career highs in field goal percentage, two-point field goals, and free throws—46.2%, 57.4% and 75.2%, respectively.

He posted per game averages of 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and six assists last season while 42.7% percent from the floor.

The only category in which his numbers dipped this season compared to last is his three-point shooting percentage. He shot the long ball at 32.7% as a rookie. This year, that mark has fallen to 31.6%.

While Doncic may be the player with the most star power league-wide nominated for Most Improved Player, he faces some stiff competition. The Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo and New Orleans Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram are also finalists.

All three were named All-Stars for the first time this season.

Now in his third season, Adebayo is averaging double-digit scoring for the first time in his career—16.1 points—and has seen his minutes increase significantly as he’s moved into a starting role permanently.

Ingram, meanwhile, has taken the reins of the Pelican’s offense as Zion Williamson has nursed multiple injuries this season. The four-year veteran has upped his scoring average by nearly six points and is an improved rebounder and passer as well. Ingram is also shooting lights out from behind the arc—38.9%.

As impressive as both Adebayo and Ingram have been, neither are managing the gaudy numbers that Doncic is producing. Perhaps what is most impressive about the Slovenian star’s performance is that he’s only seen his playing time increase by less than two minutes per game.

Award voting took place between July 21 and July 28. It will not take into account the games now being played inside the NBA Bubble at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Instead, it will only be based on games from the start of the regular season through March 11, when the league suspended play.

Winners will be announced by TNT during the network’s coverage of the playoffs.