Spurs' Keldon Johnson declares Victor Wembanyama 'Best player in the world. MVP.'

Wembanyama leads Spurs to win over Hornets with 32 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 2:19am

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After San Antonio Spurs All-Star Victor Wembanyama's dominant 32-point, 12-rebound, 8-assist performance in a win over the Charlotte Hornets, teammate Keldon Johnson declared Wembanyama the "best player in the world" and the "MVP." Wembanyama also discussed his goals to win both the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards this season.

Why it matters

Wembanyama is considered one of the NBA's rising superstars, and his teammate's bold declaration of him as the league's best player and MVP frontrunner underscores the 21-year-old's immense talent and potential. The Spurs are hoping Wembanyama can lead them to success this season as they aim to return to the playoffs.

The details

In the Spurs' 115-102 win over the Hornets, Wembanyama filled the stat sheet with 32 points on 13-of-24 shooting, including 5-of-10 from 3-point range, 12 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 blocks, and 2 steals. Keldon Johnson, the Spurs' leading bench scorer with 13 points, interrupted Wembanyama's postgame interview to declare him the "best player in the world" and the "MVP." Wembanyama also discussed his goals to win both the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards this season, saying he's trying to "press the gas" until the end of the season to achieve those accolades.

  • The Spurs defeated the Hornets on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
  • The Spurs will face the Clippers on Monday, March 16, 2026.

The players

Victor Wembanyama

A 21-year-old All-Star center for the San Antonio Spurs who is considered one of the NBA's rising superstars.

Keldon Johnson

A teammate of Wembanyama's on the San Antonio Spurs who declared Wembanyama the "best player in the world" and the "MVP."

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

An All-Star guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder who is currently leading the MVP race, ahead of Wembanyama.

Nikola Jokic

An All-Star center for the Denver Nuggets who is also in the MVP race, ahead of Wembanyama.

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What they’re saying

“Best player in the world. MVP. If anybody else got anything to say, come holla at me.”

— Keldon Johnson, Spurs player

“Right now in my mind is taking great care of my body cause I also want to win the MVP, and the DPOY. So I'm trying to press the gas from now until the end of the season.”

— Victor Wembanyama

What’s next

The Spurs will face the Clippers on Monday, March 16, 2026.

The takeaway

Wembanyama's dominant performance and his teammate's bold declaration of him as the NBA's best player and MVP frontrunner underscores the 21-year-old's immense talent and potential. The Spurs are hoping Wembanyama can lead them to success this season as they aim to return to the playoffs.