If Lakers star Luka Doncic can’t play the remainder of the regular season — which seems likely due to his hamstring injury — he would be the first scoring leader to not make an All-NBA team since 1976, according to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press.
He needs to play in one more game to reach the 65-game threshold for All-NBA consideration. Doncic is averaging 33.5 points — nearly two points more than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31.6), who’s second in the league. In 1976, Bob McAdoo won his third consecutive scoring title and was second in the MVP race — but didn’t make All-NBA.
On a related topic, Doncic’s absence will test the team’s depth, Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times points out. Marcus Smart has missed the last six games with an ankle sprain, though he could return this weekend. Bronny James could see his backcourt role expand in Doncic’s absence.
Here’s more from the Pacific Division:
- The Clippers, who are already dealing with a number of frontcourt injuries, may not have Isaiah Jackson the rest of the season. Jackson has a high ankle sprain and will not join the team on its road trip. He will be out at least one week, Janis Carr of the Orange County Register tweets.
- The Kings’ NBA G League GM, Gabriel Harris, is heading to the college ranks. Gabriel Harris will be named the University of Memphis Tigers’ general manager, Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype tweets. Harris and the Stockton Kings won the 2025 G League championship.
- Collin Gillespie, who is headed to free agency this summer, set the Suns’ franchise record for 3-pointers in a season on Thursday night, according to the Associated Press. Gillespie set the mark in the second quarter of the Suns’ 127-107 loss to the Hornets. He made his 227th 3-pointer from the wing, surpassing the record of 226 3s, set by Quentin Richardson in the 2004/05 season. “It’s a great accomplishment,” Gillespie said. “And I’m extremely grateful and thankful to everybody here for helping me, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t really mean much right now with the loss.”
Just have him start the game on the court and foul immediately. Take him out and make him eligible.
Wouldn’t he have to play like 20 mins for it to count iirc?
It could be. Just remember Mikal Bridges extending his iron man streak by playing less than a minute. The rules may have changed and if that’s the case then disregard my original comment.
Bridges was just to record that he played the game. For All NBA and most of the other awards, Doncic would need to play 20 minutes iirc.
It depends on how many games he played less than 20 mins so far:
The NBA 65-game rule, introduced in the 2023-24 season, requires players to play in at least 65 regular-season games (with at least 20 minutes played in 63 of them) to be eligible for major end-of-season honors, including MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and All-NBA teams.