The latest NBA MVP straw poll from ESPN has spotlighted a standout contender for the league's top individual honor, but the race is heating up with potential surprises on the horizon.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder is leading the charge to repeat as NBA MVP. Out of 100 media members polled, 78 placed him at the top, and he appeared on every ballot. His stronghold on the MVP race has widened over Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic, whose quest for a fourth MVP hit a snag due to a knee injury in December.
Meanwhile, San Antonio Spurs' sensation Victor Wembanyama is making waves, especially with his return to full health and the Spurs' push to challenge the Thunder for the Western Conference's top seed.
Tim Bontemps of ESPN suggests that if Wembanyama can replicate a late-season surge akin to Joel Embiid's past performances, he might become the Spurs' first MVP since Tim Duncan in 2003.
Currently, Wembanyama sits fourth in the straw poll, trailing Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic, and Detroit's Cade Cunningham. Notably, Wembanyama has garnered more first-place votes (3) than Cunningham (1).
"If Wembanyama stays healthy and the Spurs close the gap on OKC for the Western lead, he could mirror the 2022-23 scenario where Joel Embiid's late push secured the MVP over Jokic," Bontemps noted.
In his third NBA season, Wembanyama is putting up impressive numbers-24.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game. The Spurs are on a roll, having won seven straight games, boosting their record to 39-16.
If the Spurs continue this momentum and overtake the Thunder for the top seed, Wembanyama could significantly influence the MVP decision in what is already a thrilling race.