Kia MVP Ladder: Victor Wembanyama joins Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić at the top

San Antonio's star big man keeps shining and enters the fray at the top with the Thunder and Nuggets stars

Mar. 13, 2026 at 11:22am

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The MVP conversation has centered on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić, not only this season but also last season. They've always been a level up on the rest of the league because of their talent, team success and consistency. But now, Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs has joined them at the top of the Kia MVP Ladder.

Why it matters

Wembanyama is doing damage against the best the league can offer, with impressive performances against top teams like the Pistons, Celtics, Rockets, and Clippers. His ability to impact the game on both ends of the court, along with the Spurs' success with him in the lineup, has elevated him into the MVP conversation.

The details

Wembanyama is leading the league in blocked shots, averaging 4.3 blocks per game over his last 11 games. He's also been a dominant rebounder, recording seven double-figure rebound games in that span with a high of 17. Offensively, his shooting and creativity have greatly improved from earlier in the season. The Spurs have lost only once with Wembanyama in the lineup since January 31st, and they are right on the heels of the West-leading Thunder, a team Wembanyama has dominated this season.

  • Wembanyama missed Thursday's game against the Nuggets with an ankle sprain, but the injury is not considered serious.
  • Gilgeous-Alexander recently claimed the consecutive 20-point game streak, wrestling it from Wilt Chamberlain's record of 126 in a row.

The players

Victor Wembanyama

A 7-foot-4 (or possibly 7-foot-5) star big man for the San Antonio Spurs who has elevated his game on both ends of the court, especially lately, and has helped the Spurs remain competitive in the Western Conference.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Oklahoma City Thunder star who has been a consistent top performer this season, recently claiming the consecutive 20-point game streak from Wilt Chamberlain.

Nikola Jokić

The Denver Nuggets center who remains on pace to become the first player to lead the league in rebound and assist average in the same season, while also being a virtual lock to place among the top eight in scoring.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think people know how hard it is to do that. To make 20 points in 10 (straight) games, not 120 or whatever it is, it's special. He's a special player.”

— Nikola Jokić

What’s next

If Anthony Edwards plans to crack the Ladder's top 10 and stay there, he'll need to leverage himself Sunday against Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder. The reigning Kia MVP became an NBA champion partly because he outplayed Edwards in the 2025 Western Conference Finals.

The takeaway

The MVP race has turned into a three-player sprint between Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokić, and the rising star Wembanyama, who has firmly inserted himself into the conversation with his dominant two-way play and the Spurs' success. Assuming all three meet the 65-game requirement, this should be a very watchable finish to the Kia MVP race.