Stunning On-Off Numbers Strengthen Luka Dončić’s MVP Case After Dominant First Month

Sometimes a single stat explains an entire season. For the Los Angeles Lakers, that stat is jaw-dropping:

📊 With Luka Dončić on the court: +84

📉 When he sits: –27

That kind of swing is almost unheard of — and it perfectly captures just how vital Dončić has been since landing in Los Angeles.

🔥 Luka Dončić Is Completely Changing the Lakers’ Trajectory

You don’t see on-off gaps like this unless a player is flat-out transforming a franchise. And through the first month of the season, Dončić has done exactly that.

The Lakers have ripped off six consecutive wins, cruised to a perfect 4–0 record in the NBA Cup group stage, and just posted a 129–119 victory over the Dallas Mavericks — Luka’s former team.

He’s now 3–0 against Dallas since joining the purple and gold, and each matchup feels like a pointed reminder of which franchise won that blockbuster trade.

📈 Luka’s MVP Resume Is Growing Fast — and the Numbers Are Unreal

Dončić has been nothing short of spectacular:

• 35.1 points per game
• 9.4 assists
• 8.5 rebounds
• 47.5% FG
• 80% FT
• 1.8 steals per game

Every part of his game screams dominance. And what makes it even more impressive is how effortless it looks. There’s no over-dribbling, no forced hero-ball — just pure offensive command.

ESPN’s Zach Lowe captured it perfectly on The Lowe Post:

“Luka looks fit, defending better, and just a machine of offense… When he’s out there, the Lakers get whatever shot they want.”

He’s not wrong. When Luka checks into the game, the Lakers’ identity snaps into focus — organized, confident, and decisive. When he sits, that structure fades.

This is what MVP-level value looks like.

🧠 The Eye Test Matches the Analytics

With Dončić orchestrating the offense:

• The ball moves crisply
• Teammates naturally find open space
• Defensive pressure becomes irrelevant
• The Lakers dictate tempo instead of reacting to it

Even short bench stretches feel different without him, and that contrast is exactly what makes the on-off stat so powerful.

🎯 And Here’s the Scary Part: Luka Still Has Room to Get Better

Despite leading the league in scoring, he’s hitting just 34% from three, one of the lowest marks of his career — all while taking a career-high 10.9 attempts per game.

That number is almost certain to rise.

Add in the return of a fully healthy LeBron James, who effortlessly absorbs defensive attention, and you get a Lakers offense that is nearly impossible to contain.

With LeBron embracing a role that empowers Luka and Austin Reaves, Los Angeles is finally playing with a modern rhythm and spacing that complements Dončić’s brilliance.

🏆 Luka Dončić’s MVP Case Is Only Getting Stronger

One month into the season, the impact is undeniable:

The Lakers are elite because of Luka — and exposed without him.

The stat sheet confirms it. The eye test confirms it. Opposing defenses confirm it.

If this is just the beginning, his MVP campaign is about to explode.