The 2026 NBA season is coming to a close, and debates over this season’s MVP have ramped up. This season’s MVP race is one of the most intense in a while. The list of contenders includes last year’s winner Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, Los Angeles Lakers forward Luka Dončić and most deservingly, San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama. After Dončić’s season-ending injury, the debate is narrowed down to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama. In reality, there should be no debate. Victor Wembanyama deserves the 2026 MVP award.
Wembanyama has proven to be impactful on both ends of the floor, while Gilgeous-Alexander’s defensive impact is incomparable. Wembanyama was asked to give reasons why he deserves MVP.
“Defense is 50% of the game, and that it is undervalued so far in the MVP race because I believe I’m the most impactful player defensively in the league, ” Wembanyama reasoned.
In recent years, the MVP award has leaned toward offensive production. Wembanyama’s impressive defensive work will break this trend, as he is influencing the league on both ends of the court more than any other player.
This season, the Thunder and Spurs have played each other five times, with the Spurs having won four of those games. Gilgeous-Alexander was out for the most recent game on Feb. 4, but he played in the other four. It is important to note that Wembanyama had a left calf strain that caused him to miss time. He returned Dec. 13 for the Semi Cup Final against the Thunder, helping the team win 111-109. Since this injury, Wembanyama was put on a minutes restriction to protect his health. He has only played 35 minutes three times since Dec. 13, but he will be used more during the playoffs.
Despite the minutes restriction, Wembanyama is producing numbers that only six other players in NBA history have achieved. He is averaging 24.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Wembanyama has more than 4000 points and 600 blocks in his first 175 career games, a mark only fellow Spurs legend David Robinson has reached. Wembanyama is the third player in NBA history to block at least one shot in 100 straight games. On March 30, the Spurs played the Chicago Bulls, where Wembanyama recorded the third-fastest double-double in the play-by-play era at eight minutes and 31 seconds. As Wembanyama’s minutes increase, he keeps breaking new records for offense and defense.
In a recent post-game press conference, Wembanyama was asked if he had thought about MVP at all.
“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, and I will try to make sure that until the end of the season, there is no debate anymore,” Wembanyama said.
When Gilgeous-Alexander was asked if he wanted to weigh in on the conversation about the award he stated, “No, I’m good. Thanks for asking though. I let my game do the talking.”
Gilgeous-Alexander is not the only person criticizing Wembanyama’s decision to state his case. There have been numerous unnecessary hate comments, videos and posts denouncing his “arrogance.” Wembanyama is a passionate and confident player and has the decency to fully answer interviewers’ questions. He is bringing a much-needed competitive energy back into the league.
Wembanyama has proven to be a valuable player, not only for the Spurs but for the league. He has broken records on both sides of the court like no other player this season, including Gilgeous-Alexander. He deserves to be this season’s MVP.
