Victor Wembanyama is making waves for the Spurs, and his recent performances have sparked a serious MVP conversation. The San Antonio star has openly expressed his ambition to clinch the coveted Michael Jordan Trophy as this season's NBA MVP.
In a candid moment on NBA on Prime's Nightcap show, Wembanyama shared, "Right now, in my mind, I'm taking care of my body because I also want to win the MVP and the Defensive Player of the Year. I'm trying to press the gas from now until the end of the season."
March has been a showcase of Wembanyama's immense talent. He's scored at least 25 points in six of seven games this month, including a jaw-dropping 32 against the Hornets. His efficiency is just as impressive, shooting 50% from the field and hitting 37% from beyond the arc.
But it's not just about scoring. Wembanyama has been dishing out assists at an impressive rate, with double-digit numbers in four of his last five games, pushing his season average to 11.2 per game.
While injuries have occasionally sidelined him, most recently against the Nuggets, Wembanyama remains a formidable contender in the MVP race. His main rivals? Denver's Nikola Jokic and OKC's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, both seasoned in the MVP conversation.
SGA is currently leading Wembanyama in scoring with a 31.8 points per game average. However, Wembanyama's Spurs have outperformed the Thunder in their head-to-head matchups, winning 4-1. Despite SGA's scoring prowess, Wembanyama's impact in these games could play a crucial role in the MVP decision if the gap narrows.
As for Jokic, he and Wembanyama haven't faced each other directly this season, though their teams have split their encounters. Statistically, they are neck and neck, with Jokic having a slight edge in assists. Yet, the Spurs have been more successful overall, boasting a 6-2 record in March compared to the Nuggets' 4-4.
Since January 31, the Spurs have only lost once with Wembanyama on the court, whereas the Nuggets have stumbled 12 times with Jokic. Despite not topping every stat chart, Wembanyama's ability to win crucial matchups and lead his team to success could very well earn him his first MVP title if he continues to accelerate his performance.