Dončić and the Lakers are currently in first place in the Western Conference with an 8-2 record and lead the league in points scored, averaging 122 per game through the first 10 games this season.
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Dončić has positioned himself as the leading candidate for MVP early this season. He’s averaged 40.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists in nine games played.
The point guard’s health will be something to monitor this weekend after appearing on the latest status report.
The Pistons have allowed the fewest opponent points per game this season, giving up an average of 101.8 points per game through their first eight games. Detroit is third in the Eastern Conference.
Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
1. Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
(Alonzo Adams, Imagn Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
1. Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
(Alonzo Adams, Imagn Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
2. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
3. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
(Wendell Cruz, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
4. Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers
(Marc Lebryk, Imagn Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
6. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
(Bill Streicher, Imagn Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
7. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
8. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
(David Berding, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
9. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
(Winslow Townson, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
10. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
11. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
12. Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets
(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
13. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
14. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
15. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
(Luiza Moraes, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
16. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
(Elsa, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
17. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
18. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
19. LeBron James, Philadelphia 76ers
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
20. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
(Megan Briggs, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
21. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
(Scott Taetsch, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
22. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
(Joshua Gateley, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
23. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
(JOSHUA R. GATELEY, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
24. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
(Cole Burston, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
25. Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
26. James Harden, Cleveland Cavaliers
(Sarah Stier, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
27. OG Anunoby, New York Knicks
(Maddie Meyer, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
28. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
29. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
(Kenneth Richmond, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
30. Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers
(Maddie Meyer, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
31. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
(Ron Jenkins, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
32. Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers
(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
33. Lamelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
(Joshua Gateley, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
34. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
(Rich Storry, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
35. Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks
(Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
36. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
37. Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks
(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
38. Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers
(Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
39. Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
40. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
41. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
(Mitchell Leff, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
42. Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
(Rich Storry, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
43. Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
44. De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs
(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
45. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
(Jason Miller, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
46. Derrick White, Boston Celtics
(Maddie Meyer, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
47. Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs
(Alex Slitz, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
48. Jaren Jackson Jr., Utah Jazz
(Chris Gardner, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
49. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves
(David Berding, Getty Images)
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Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA’s 50 best players
50. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
Luka Dončić injury update
Dončić is listed as questionable with back tightness for the second time this season.
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The six-time All-NBA player missed one game this season due to back tightness the day after playing against Portland in late October.
Luka Dončić injury history
Dončić does have a history of back injuries during his career. Before this season, he was most recently listed with a back injury in March 2025. He was also listed with back-related injuries during the 2019, 2021 and 2024 seasons.
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a free throw during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Crypto.com Arena on November 6, 2026, in Los Angeles, California.
Where does Luka Dončić rank among NBA’s best?
Dončić enters his third season with the Lakers as the unquestioned star and leader. His accomplishments and achievements are why he was ranked No. 4 on USA TODAY Sports’ top 100 player rankings ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The Lakers will travel to play the Pistons on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. ET. It will be the first game of a back-to-back and the first of four straight road games for the Lakers. Los Angeles has won its last four games.
