The San Antonio Spurs are making waves in the Western Conference, sitting comfortably in second place with 28 games left in the regular season. As they aim for a historic run, one key number is catching everyone's attention.
While the Spurs trail the Oklahoma City Thunder in overall record, they’ve shown their mettle by winning four out of five encounters against them. Despite their relative inexperience, with many players yet to taste postseason action, the Spurs are poised for a deep playoff push. Fans and analysts alike are eyeing a potential Conference Finals appearance.
For Victor Wembanyama, this season could mark a pivotal chapter in his burgeoning career. His journey toward greatness hinges on a crucial number: three.
San Antonio Spurs' Magic Number: 3
In his rookie year, Wembanyama narrowly missed out on the Defensive Player of the Year award to Rudy Gobert. Last season, his campaign was cut short due to health issues, preventing him from hitting the 65-game requirement. Now, with 14 games already missed this season, Wembanyama can only afford to sit out three more to remain eligible for accolades.
Anchoring the league’s third-best defense, he leads with 2.7 blocks per game and adds a steal to his impressive stats. His presence on the court is intimidating, deterring opponents from even attempting shots in the paint. While this defensive impact is hard to quantify, it’s undeniably felt.
Wembanyama is also making waves in the MVP conversation, though not as a frontrunner, largely due to his limited game window. Las Vegas oddsmakers have him fifth in line, behind stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Cade Cunningham, and Luka Doncic. The NBA's MVP Ladder echoes this sentiment.
Averaging 24.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists for a top-tier team is no small feat. If he clinches the MVP award in 2026, he could become the youngest player to do so.
The key is staying healthy enough to play in 25 of the Spurs' remaining 28 games, ensuring he meets the 65-game mark. The magic number remains three.