Dallas, Texas — Regardless of the final score Monday night against the Utah Jazz, what was effervescently clear was Luka Doncic belongs in a discussion he hasn't been in all season.

That discussion, you may ask? Oh, the MVP one, with the likes of Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

For the better part of two months, the production Doncic is putting up has gone relatively unnoticed. It's as though everyone expects him to be otherworldly all the time. Can you blame them?

In Dallas' 111-103 win over Utah, Doncic eased into a 35-point, 16-rebounds and seven-assist night. Doncic picked his spots, going after Rudy Gobert on several occasions, making the reigning Defensive Player of the Year look silly, and he made the game look easy.

"Luka is great," Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said. "He's been great all season… He's special."

For Doncic, it hasn't just been Monday night. In the last 15 games, he's averaged 34 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. He's shooting 48 percent from the field and 40 percent from three. And the reward for his indelible play, at least against Utah, was a win and climbing into the top-10 on the Mavericks' all-time scoring list.

"To do it in less than four years is incredible," Kidd said.

Other than continuing the level of play he's at now, Doncic can't do more to prove his worthiness for an MVP. He's even started to play high-level defense, which is something that felt far off last season.

"That's been the most important part for me this season," Doncic said. "There have been bad games from me this season, but overall I've played well on defense."

The case for Luka against Embiid and Jokic

Many have penciled in Embiid or Jokic as their MVP. More power to them. However, to deny that Doncic belongs on the ballot — or at least in the same sphere of influence — is asinine.

Yes, Embiid's team sits second in the Eastern Conference standings. But the Philadelphia 76ers have the same number of wins as Dallas (40). And Embiid's supporting cast is far more talented than Doncic's.

Between having the privilege of playing with a former Maverick in Seth Curry, eventually trading him, and in turn, being graced by James Harden's unflappable scoring prowess, Embiid's treasure trove of players appears far more skilled than what is available in Dallas.

With just Jalen Brunson, and as of late, Spencer Dinwiddie, Doncic hasn't had much offensive help. Dwight Powell won't give you much. Maxi Kleber isn't exciting. Reggie Bullock is inconsistent. And Dorian Finney-Smith can't create his own shots consistently. Doncic covers for all of those sins — as an MVP should.

When things come to Jokic, the discussion needs a nuanced perspective. Yes, Jokic is enjoying a historic season. And he's put the bag of bones Denver Nuggets on his back on a nightly basis. But wins matter. And Dallas holds a two-game lead over Denver in the Western Conference standings. It took Russell Westbrook averaging a triple-double to win MVP as a sixth seed.

Does Jokic deserve that same coronation? Or maybe, instead, Doncic needs more attention in the MVP race.

Luka rests his case 

With 17 games left in the season, there isn't much time for Doncic to cement his case as the league MVP. Odds are, he won't win the award this season. But he does belong in the discussion. To deny that is to admit you just haven't seen the 23-year-old wonder play in the last two months.

"[I] could be better," Doncic said after the game.

If that's true, the league is in trouble, and so is everyone who isn't named Doncic on the MVP shortlist.

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Feature image via Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports.