Spurs' Wembanyama Builds MVP Case, Clinches Division Title

Rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama declares he should lead the MVP race as San Antonio ends playoff drought.

Mar. 25, 2026 at 10:18am

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San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama made a strong case for the NBA MVP award, helping the team clinch a division title and end a six-season playoff drought. Wembanyama, the 2024 Rookie of the Year, is averaging 24.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.0 blocked shots per game this season. He believes his defensive impact and the Spurs' success against top teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder should make him the clear MVP favorite.

Why it matters

Wembanyama's rise to superstardom has been a major storyline in the NBA this season, and his MVP case could have significant implications for the league's individual awards and the Spurs' playoff positioning. As a young, dominant two-way player, Wembanyama's potential MVP win would highlight the league's shift toward valuing defensive impact more heavily.

The details

Wembanyama scored 26 points in Monday's win over the Miami Heat, clinching the division title and ending the Spurs' six-year playoff drought. He laid out a three-part case for why he should be the MVP: 1) his defensive impact, which he believes is the most important in the league; 2) the Spurs' dominance over the Oklahoma City Thunder, who won the title last year; and 3) his overall offensive impact beyond just scoring.

  • On Monday, March 24, 2026, the Spurs clinched a division title and ended their six-season playoff drought.
  • Wembanyama is currently averaging 24.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.0 blocked shots per game this season.

The players

Victor Wembanyama

The San Antonio Spurs' star rookie, who was named the 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year and is making a strong case for the 2025-26 MVP award.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Oklahoma City Thunder guard who swept the regular-season and NBA Finals MVP awards last year en route to his first championship.

Luka Doncic

The Los Angeles Lakers guard who is considered a top MVP candidate this season as the NBA's leading scorer.

Nikola Jokić

The Denver Nuggets center who is a three-time MVP and currently holds slightly better odds to win the award this year than Wembanyama.

Mitch Johnson

The San Antonio Spurs head coach, who voiced strong support for Wembanyama's MVP campaign.

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What they’re saying

“I have thought about it. I think right now, there is a debate. There should be, even though I think I should lead the race. I'm trying to make sure that at the end of the season, there's no debate.”

— Victor Wembanyama

“I think he's close. All those guys you named are deserving; a couple of them already have that award. And I'm very biased. I get to see one of those guys every single night. I get to see him on the practice court. I get to see what he does in the morning. I get to see what does right now, after the game. So, I understand my opinion and outlook and perspective is very different than almost everyone else.”

— Mitch Johnson, Spurs Head Coach

What’s next

The Spurs will head into the playoffs as no lower than the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, setting up a potential showdown with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

The takeaway

Wembanyama's dominant two-way play and the Spurs' resurgence this season have put him firmly in the MVP conversation, highlighting the league's growing emphasis on defensive impact and team success as key factors in the award. His quest to "eliminate any debate" by season's end could have major implications for the individual awards race and the Spurs' playoff aspirations.