Wembanyama, Jokic, and Edwards Shine on Christmas as NBA’s New Era Takes Center Stage
Victor Wembanyama didn’t need a triple-overtime thriller to make a statement on Christmas Day - just 26 minutes and his usual blend of length, skill, and control.
San Antonio’s 7'4" phenom came off the bench again on Thursday and delivered a 19-point, 11-rebound performance as the Spurs rolled past the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, 117-102. That’s now three wins this month for San Antonio over OKC - a team that’s been one of the league’s most consistent all season. And with the win, the Spurs improved to 23-7, suddenly just 2.5 games behind the Thunder in the standings.
Head coach Mitch Johnson has been adamant about sticking to the team’s long-term plan for Wembanyama’s workload, even in marquee matchups like this one. And so far, the approach is paying off. Wemby’s minutes are measured, but his impact is undeniable - a game-changer on both ends, even in limited spurts.
Later that same Christmas slate, Nikola Jokic reminded everyone why he’s still the most complete player in basketball. The reigning MVP dropped a staggering 55 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists in a 142-138 overtime win over the Timberwolves - a game that felt like a playoff preview. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards was electric in his own right, but Jokic’s triple-double was the kind of performance that echoes through the league.
With that win, Denver moved to 22-8, just one game behind the Spurs in a Western Conference that’s suddenly looking like a battleground for a new generation of superstars.
Former All-Star Jeff Teague summed it up best during a recent episode of the Club 520 Podcast:
“It showed me changing of the guards… it’s safe to say Jokic, Wemby, and Ant are taking over the league.”
It’s a sentiment that’s hard to argue with. The Christmas Day games didn’t just deliver drama - they spotlighted a shift.
For years, the NBA’s biggest stages were dominated by the likes of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant. And while those legends are still active, there’s no denying the league’s center of gravity is moving.
Wembanyama is redefining what’s possible at his size. Jokic is stacking up all-time stat lines with surgical efficiency.
Edwards is bringing swagger and explosiveness to a Timberwolves team that’s finally figured out how to win consistently. These aren’t just rising stars - they’re already leading contenders.
The standings back it up. The Spurs, Nuggets, and Timberwolves are all firmly in the top five out West.
The Rockets and Warriors are hanging around in sixth and eighth, while the Lakers - currently fourth - face some real questions moving forward. Austin Reaves’ injury and a defense that ranks in the league’s bottom five could spell trouble for a team still leaning heavily on a 40-year-old LeBron.
The transition isn’t just coming - it’s here. The Christmas Day showcase made that clear.
The league’s future isn’t waiting in the wings anymore. It’s already on the court, dominating games, and rewriting the script.
Wembanyama, Jokic, and Edwards aren’t just the next big thing - they’re the now.