By securing five first-place votes at just 22, the Spurs' generational force has evolved from a prospect into a dominant two-way threat ready to challenge the NBA elite.
Victor Wembanyama’s rapid rise has already produced Rookie of the Year honors, All-Star appearances, and historic defensive achievements. Now, the San Antonio Spurs' superstar has added another milestone to his résumé: finishing third in NBA MVP voting at just 22 years old.
The final MVP results placed reigning winner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander first, followed by Nikola Jokić, with Wembanyama finishing close behind in third place. While he did not seriously threaten for the top spot in overall points, earning five first-place votes and landing among the league’s three most valuable players speaks volumes about where the Spurs’ franchise cornerstone already stands.
For San Antonio, the bigger takeaway is less about finishing third and more about how quickly Wembanyama has entered these conversations.
Not long ago, the Spurs were rebuilding around potential. Now they have a player regularly mentioned alongside established MVP winners and future Hall of Famers. That shift changes expectations for the organization moving forward.
Wembanyama’s 2025-26 season became impossible to ignore. He captured Defensive Player of the Year in a unanimous fashion while continuing to expand his offensive game and carry San Antonio back into contention. He has evolved from a uniquely talented prospect into one of the NBA’s true two-way forces.
The most impressive part may be that finishing third in MVP voting almost feels disappointing to some Spurs fans. That says everything about the standard Wembanyama has created.
Historically, players his age are still learning consistency or adjusting to the league. Wembanyama is already competing with perennial MVP candidates. The expectation around him has shifted from future superstardom to present-day dominance.
There is also reason to believe this may only be the beginning.
Several voters clearly viewed Wembanyama as worthy of first-place consideration, and his combination of scoring, rebounding, playmaking and elite rim protection gives him a unique argument few players can match.
The timing adds another layer. The Spurs are preparing for a postseason showdown with the Oklahoma City Thunder, meaning Wembanyama now has an opportunity to go directly against the player who claimed the award.
Third place in MVP voting is impressive on paper.
For Wembanyama, though, it may ultimately be remembered as another step toward something bigger. In San Antonio, expectations are no longer centered on whether he can become the face of the league.
They’re centered on when.
