Wembanyama Weighs in on MVP Debate

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, had a standout season last year, claiming both the regular season and NBA Finals MVP titles while leading his team to its first championship. This year, he’s again a contender for the MVP award in the 2025-26 season. However, fellow player Victor Wembanyama believes he should be the frontrunner.

After scoring 26 points in a recent game against the Miami Heat, Wembanyama expressed his thoughts on the MVP conversation, particularly after helping his team, the Spurs, claim a division title and break a six-year playoff drought.

“I’ve thought about it,” he said, noting, “I think there’s a case now. We should definitely be in the conversation, but there should be an argument for it. We want to make sure there’s no discussion on this by season’s end.”

As he prepared to face off against the Memphis Grizzlies, Wembanyama was averaging 24.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game. These figures certainly bolster his MVP claims, although others like Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic from the Los Angeles Lakers, who leads the league in scoring, are also strong candidates.

Currently, according to ESPN’s statistics, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, a three-time MVP, holds a slight edge in the MVP race, with Wembanyama positioned third. The NBA’s new regulations specify that players need to appear in at least 65 games to be eligible for the MVP award.

In his defense of the MVP title, Wembanyama submitted three points: “First, I believe defense is half the game and isn’t valued enough in MVP discussions. I think I’m one of the most impactful defensive players in the league. Second, we had significant wins over OKC during the season, beating them three times with their key players. Finally, making an offensive impact isn’t just about scoring.”

Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson expressed his support for Wembanyama’s MVP candidacy, highlighting what he observes behind the scenes: “I think he’s close. All the players you mentioned deserve recognition. Some have won before, obviously. But I see him every night on the practice court, see how hard he works. My perspective could be different from the average fan.”

As the Spurs prepared for their upcoming game, they boasted an impressive 54 wins and were set to enter the playoffs as a top seed in the Western Conference.