Spurs' Wembanyama Makes Late-Season MVP Push

The 22-year-old French phenom makes his case for the NBA's top individual award.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:57pm

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A cubist, fragmented painting depicting a basketball game in motion, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette, conveying the dynamic energy and multi-faceted nature of Victor Wembanyama's game.Wembanyama's unique two-way impact has the Spurs surging and the MVP race in flux.San Antonio Today

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is making a late-season push for the NBA MVP award, citing his dominant defense, the team's success, and his well-rounded offensive game as key reasons he deserves the honor. Despite trailing statistical leaders like Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Wembanyama believes his impact on both ends of the floor sets him apart and argues there should be "no debate" about his MVP credentials by the end of the season.

Why it matters

Wembanyama's quest for the MVP award comes in just his third NBA season, as the young phenom looks to cement his status among the league's elite. His ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor has been a driving force behind the Spurs' resurgence this year, as they aim for their first playoff berth since 2019.

The details

Wembanyama is averaging 24.2 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game this season, trailing only Jokić and Gilgeous-Alexander in several key statistical categories. However, the Spurs' rising star argues that his defensive dominance, which has him on pace for a third straight blocks title, is an undervalued aspect of the MVP race. Wembanyama has also helped lead San Antonio to a 60-win season, including a near-sweep of the Oklahoma City Thunder, further bolstering his case.

  • Wembanyama is on pace for his third straight blocks title in as many NBA seasons.
  • Over a 15-game span in February and March, Wembanyama averaged 27.9 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game.
  • Wembanyama suffered a calf strain in late November that sidelined him for 12 games, but the Spurs took a conservative approach with his minutes upon his return.

The players

Victor Wembanyama

A 22-year-old French forward for the San Antonio Spurs who is making a strong case for the NBA MVP award in his third professional season.

Nikola Jokić

The two-time reigning NBA MVP who plays for the Denver Nuggets and is one of Wembanyama's main competitors for the award this season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The star guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder who is widely seen as the MVP favorite and another key challenger to Wembanyama's award aspirations.

Mitch Johnson

The head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, who is highly biased in favor of Wembanyama's MVP case.

David Adelman

The head coach of the Denver Nuggets, who has praised Wembanyama's unique defensive impact.

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What they’re saying

“Defense is 50 percent of the game. That is undervalued so far in the MVP race ... I believe I'm the most impactful player defensively in the league.”

— Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs Forward

“I think the first time I played against him, I told you guys he's going to change the league. He's going to change basketball ... I think he has an opportunity, a chance to be the most unique basketball player to ever play the game.”

— Nikola Jokić

“Even though he obviously fills up a box score, he leaves his imprints all over the game. It's a byproduct of how we play.”

— Mitch Johnson, San Antonio Spurs Head Coach

What’s next

With four games remaining in the regular season, Wembanyama needs to play just one more game of at least 20 minutes to remain eligible for end-of-season awards, including Defensive Player of the Year. His team's ability to make a late push for the Western Conference's No. 1 seed could also bolster his MVP case against Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder.

The takeaway

Wembanyama's quest for the MVP award highlights his unique two-way impact and the Spurs' resurgence this season. While he trails statistical leaders like Jokić and Gilgeous-Alexander, Wembanyama's defensive dominance and team success make a compelling case for him to win the league's top individual honor in just his third NBA campaign.