Luka Doncic Age 26 vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo Age 26 (Full Career Comparison)

By the time most players hit their prime, their careers begin to take shape. But for Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, age 26 is a very interesting one. Doncic, the NBA's premier prodigy, is 26 years old right now and has begun to receive a ton of hype for being one of the greatest international players ever. 

Meanwhile, Giannis, the Greek Freak, has transformed from a one-of-a-kind athlete into a two-time MVP, an NBA champion, and a defensive juggernaut. Already a Hall of Famer by resume, how good was his resume by age 26? Was he the player we know today, or has Luka managed to have a better start to his career?

It is time for us to dive into the full career picture at age 26. Who has achieved more? Who has had a bigger impact on the game? By examining accolades, team success, and individual dominance, we have the answer. 

NBA Championships

Luka Doncic: 0

Giannis Antetokounmpo: 1 (2020-21)

As of his 26th birthday, Luka has not yet won an NBA championship. However, his early playoff appearances have been marked by individual brilliance, including multiple 30-point triple-doubles and leading the playoffs in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. While team success has eluded him so far, his individual performances have kept the Dallas Mavericks and, recently, the Los Angeles Lakers competitive in the postseason.

By the age of 26, Giannis had already secured an NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021. His dominant performance in the Finals, including a 50-point game in the clinching Game 6, solidified his status as one of the league's premier players. This championship was a significant milestone in his career, showcasing his ability to lead a team to the ultimate prize. Advantage Giannis here.

Winner: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Finals MVP Awards

Luka Doncic: 0

Giannis Antetokounmpo: 1 (2020-21)

Luka has not yet had the opportunity to win in an NBA Finals, and therefore has not been in contention for a Finals MVP award, despite leading the Mavericks to the esteemed stage in the 2023-24 season. His playoff runs have certainly been impressive, but they have yet to culminate in a victory or Finals MVP award.

Giannis earned the Finals MVP award in 2021 after leading the Bucks to the championship. His outstanding performances throughout the series, particularly in Game 6, where he scored 50 points, were pivotal in securing the title and the MVP honors. When it came to success, Giannis has done more than Luka. 

Winner: Giannis Antetokounmpo

MVP Awards

Luka Doncic: 0

Giannis Antetokounmpo: 2 (2018-19, 2019-20)

As of his 26th birthday, Luka has not yet won an MVP award. However, he has been a consistent All-NBA First Team selection and has finished high in MVP voting (third in 2023-24), indicating his status as one of the league's top players.

By 26, Giannis had already won two MVP awards (2019 and 2020), joining an elite group of players to achieve this feat at such a young age. These accolades reflect his dominance on both ends of the court and his ability to elevate his team's performance.

Winner: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Defensive Player Of The Year Awards

Luka Doncic: 0

Giannis Antetokounmpo: 1 (2019-20)

Luka has not been awarded the Defensive Player of the Year honor. While he has shown improvement on defense, it remains an area where he continues to develop because he does not even have an All-Defensive Team selection yet.

Giannis won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 2020 (1.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG), showcasing his elite defensive abilities. His versatility allows him to guard multiple positions, making him a formidable presence on the defensive end. No doubt, Giannis is one of the best defensive players of his generation.

Winner: Giannis Antetokounmpo

All-Star Selections

Luka Doncic: 5

Giannis Antetokounmpo: 5

Luka Doncic wasted no time establishing himself as an All-Star out the gate. From the moment he entered the league, his blend of scoring, playmaking, and star power made him a natural fan favorite, leading to five straight All-Star appearances by age 26. No doubt, Luka has shown that he belongs among the league’s brightest stars while building a reputation as one of the most watchable players in the game.

Giannis Antetokounmpo also earned five All-Star nods by 26, and unlike Luka, his role quickly expanded from first-time participant to global attraction. By 2021, Giannis wasn’t just an All-Star; he was often among the first picks in the All-Star Draft format, showing how highly he was regarded by his peers and the league’s elite.

Winner: Even

All-NBA Team Selections

Luka Doncic: 5

Giannis Antetokounmpo: 5

Luka’s rise to five All-NBA team selections before turning 26 is nothing short of historic. Few players in league history have burst onto the scene with this level of dominance so early, consistently ranking among the best guards and forwards regardless of conference. 

Giannis matched that number with five All-NBA team selections by 26, though his came in a slightly different fashion. His early development into a two-way monster meant that his spots were often near-automatic once he became a household name. By the time he reached his mid-20s, Giannis had already carved out his place among the league’s top all-around players.

Winner: Even

All-Defensive Team Selections

Luka Doncic: 0

Giannis Antetokounmpo: 4

Defense remains Luka’s area for growth. By 26, he had not yet earned an All-Defensive Team nod, which is unsurprising given his offensive workload and the Mavericks’ early reliance on him to carry their game plans. While he has shown flashes of defensive improvement, it’s clear that Luka’s accolades are driven primarily by his offense rather than his defense.

Giannis, on the other hand, had already collected four All-Defensive selections by 26. His ability to guard all five positions and protect the rim made him one of the most feared defenders in basketball. Whether it was switching onto smaller guards or erasing shots at the rim, his defensive impact was undeniable, culminating in him winning the 2020 Defensive Player of the Year award.

Winner: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Regular Season Win-Loss Record

Luka Doncic: 258-192 (57.3%)

Giannis Antetokounmpo: 315-274 (53.5%)

Through his first several seasons, Luka had guided the Mavericks and Lakers (one brief season so far) to a 258-192 record. While not dominant compared to some dynastic teams, that record reflects his ability to lift Dallas back into playoff relevance after years of mediocrity, with plenty to be seen with the Lakers still. 

Giannis’ Bucks were 315-274 by the time he turned 26, a record that reflects both his steady growth and Milwaukee’s evolution from a rebuilding team into a legitimate contender. Those extra regular-season wins helped secure top playoff seeds, most notably their No. 1 seed runs in 2019 and 2020. In terms of record, Doncic has the better record, though.

Winner: Luka Doncic

Postseason Appearances

Luka Doncic: 5

Giannis Antetokounmpo: 6

Luka had already made five postseason appearances by 26, and each trip carried its own set of historic performances. From his early battles against the Clippers, where he dropped game-winners and piled up absurd stat lines, to his deeper runs in the Western Conference, Doncic has consistently proven that the playoffs bring out the best in him. 

Giannis had six postseason appearances before turning 26, but his trajectory was more gradual. Early exits defined his first few playoff trips, but the progression was steady: each run provided valuable lessons that culminated in Milwaukee breaking through in 2021. Giannis has had a better postseason career by 26 than Luka has.

Winner: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Statistical Averages

Luka Doncic: 28.6 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 8.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.5 BPG

Giannis Antetokounmpo: 20.9 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.3 BPG

By age 26, Luka was already putting up video-game numbers: 28.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game. His versatility allowed him to impact every aspect of the offense, essentially functioning as his team's primary scorer, rebounder, and playmaker. The fact that his averages align so closely with a triple-double illustrates his all-around mastery.

Giannis’s averages at 26-20.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists reflect his steady growth from a lanky project to a two-time MVP. Though his numbers weren’t as gaudy as Luka’s by that age, his balance of scoring, rebounding, and defensive stats showcased his unique ability to dominate without needing the ball in his hands every possession. His numbers translated directly into winning basketball.

Winner: Luka Doncic

Player Efficiency Rating (PER)

Luka Doncic: 25.5

Giannis Antetokounmpo: 23.7

Luka’s PER of 25.5 by 26 demonstrates just how impactful he is whenever he’s on the floor. Efficiency is particularly impressive given his sky-high usage rate, which forces him to create in tough situations. The fact that he maintains elite efficiency despite defenses throwing everything at him underscores just how skilled and productive he has been.

Giannis’s PER of 23.7 at the same age is nothing to scoff at. His combination of rim attacks, transition finishes, and defensive impact made him one of the most efficient players in the league. While Luka thrives on skill and creativity, Giannis maximized his physical gifts to dominate opponents in a very different way.

Winner: Luka Doncic

Win Shares

Luka Doncic: 57.1

Giannis Antetokounmpo: 74.6

With 57.1 win shares by age 26, Luka has already proven to be one of the most valuable players in the league. His individual brilliance drove Dallas’s success before landing in Los Angeles, and these numbers emphasize that his contributions extend far beyond flashy highlights. Even without a championship, Luka’s value is quantifiable in how often he directly contributes to team wins.

Giannis, however, had amassed 74.6 win shares by 26, putting him in elite company historically. This reflects not only his offensive efficiency but also his defensive dominance and durability across regular seasons. Unlike Luka, Giannis’s win shares directly translated into a championship run, giving his numbers even more weight in terms of legacy.

Winner: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Final Score

Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Luka Doncic 7-3

Giannis Antetokounmpo Was Greater Than Luka Doncic By Age 26

When comparing Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo side by side at age 26, the numbers tell us everything. Luka has been the more incredible offensive force, and there’s little doubt he’s on a trajectory that could eventually rival the all-time greats.

However, Giannis’ two MVPs, a Defensive Player of the Year award, most importantly, an NBA Championship, and Finals MVP give him a resume that Luka simply cannot match yet. While Luka’s ceiling is extremely high, Giannis has already proven he could dominate on both ends of the floor and lead a franchise to the sport’s ultimate goal. 

By every measure that matters most in legacy discussions, Giannis Antetokounmpo was greater than Luka Doncic by the time each had celebrated their 26th birthday. Luka has time to boost his resume a lot further in Los Angeles, but until then, the Greek Freak has been the greater legend.