Sports analyst Chris Broussard recently revealed his NBA MVP ballot for the 2025-26 season, spotlighting a trio of standout players: Jaylen Brown, Victor Wembanyama, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Among them, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains a prominent figure in MVP conversations, following a remarkable previous season in which he swept both the regular-season and NBA Finals MVP awards, leading his team to their first championship. His continued strong performance this year has kept him firmly in the discussion for the prestigious accolade once again.
Despite Gilgeous-Alexander’s strong case, San Antonio Spurs’ young star Victor Wembanyama has voiced confidence that there should be a clear favorite for the MVP award, implying that he himself is positioning to take that mantle. Wembanyama’s recent performance against the Miami Heat was particularly impressive, as he scored 26 points in a crucial game that clinched a division title for the Spurs. This victory also ended San Antonio’s six-season playoff drought, a significant milestone for the franchise and the player. Following the win, Wembanyama candidly addressed the ongoing MVP debate, stating, “I have thought about it. I think right now, there is a debate. There should be, even though I think I should lead the race. I'm trying to make sure that at the end of the season, there's no debate.”
Wembanyama’s statistics this season underscore his impact on the court. Entering the upcoming matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, he has been averaging 24.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game. These numbers highlight his dominance on both ends of the floor, making a compelling case for his candidacy. However, the MVP race remains competitive. Alongside Gilgeous-Alexander, other contenders include the Los Angeles Lakers’ guard Luka Doncic, who currently leads the league in scoring, and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, a three-time MVP who holds slightly better odds to win the award this year according to ESPN’s latest data. It’s important to note that the NBA’s new eligibility rules require players to participate in at least 65 games to qualify for MVP consideration, adding another element to the race.
Wembanyama has articulated a clear, three-point argument to bolster his MVP campaign, emphasizing aspects of the game that he believes are undervalued in the current discussion. First, he argues that defense accounts for 50% of basketball, a contribution that is often overlooked in MVP voting. Wembanyama asserts that he is the most impactful defensive player in the league, an assertion supported by his impressive blocking statistics and defensive presence. His second point highlights the Spurs’ dominance over Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder team during the season, noting that San Antonio almost swept Oklahoma City and dominated them in three games with their full roster. Lastly, Wembanyama stresses that offensive impact should be measured by more than just points scored, hinting at his ability to influence the game through playmaking, spacing, and drawing defensive attention.
Supporting Wembanyama’s bid, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson expressed strong confidence in the young center’s MVP potential. Johnson acknowledged the talent and accomplishments of other top candidates but emphasized his unique perspective gained from seeing Wembanyama’s work ethic and impact up close, day after day. “I think he's close,” Johnson said. “All those guys you named are deserving; a couple of them already have that award. And I'm very biased. I get to see one of those guys every single night. I get to see him on the practice court. I get to see what he does in the morning. I get to see what he does right now, after the game. So, I understand my opinion and outlook and perspective is very different than almost everyone else.”
As of now, the San Antonio Spurs hold an impressive 54 wins and are guaranteed to enter the playoffs as no lower than the No. 2 seed in the highly competitive Western Conference. This team success further strengthens Wembanyama’s MVP candidacy, as team performance is a critical factor in MVP voting. The Spurs’ resurgence and Wembanyama’s central role in it have captured the attention of fans, analysts, and fellow players alike.
In summary, the 2025-26 NBA MVP race is shaping up to be a