Victor Wembanyama finished with 42 points and 18 rebounds in a loss against the New York Knicks on Christmas Day.
He hasn’t cracked the Top 5 of the Kia MVP Ladder this week or this season, but he has pierced the conversation.
We’re talking — literally — about Victor Wembanyama, the fast-rising San Antonio Spurs center at No. 6 whose arrival on so many levels is starting to happen.
Wemby owns a pair of 42-point games, the latest on Christmas, and a 10-block game in December. There are still five more days remaining in December, but here are his averages this month: 29.1 points, 10.7 rebounds and 4.7 blocks per game.
If he keeps that same energy in January, not only is the breakout season official, but his first serious run at All-NBA is all but locked up.
As for the MVP? There’s some stiff competition. For Wemby to become a finalist in his second season would be a tremendous accomplishment. And he’s trending toward grabbing multiple such awards in the future anyway.
So it’s an all-Wemby flavor to this week’s Kia MVP Ladder, which could experience a shakeup soon.
Setting the stage this week: Wembanyama is not only making a case for being a top-10 MVP contender, he’s also gaining pole position for Kia Defensive Player of the Year. Therefore, his Sunday matchup against Rudy Gobert is two-fold: a pair of Frenchmen and maybe last season’s vs. this season’s DPOY.
The stat to know: Wembanyama has taken 90 shots 3-pointers in December and made 38.9%. Stephen Curry has taken 109 3-pointers in December and made 37.9%.
What they are saying: “Good Lord, he’s different. The league is in good hands when all the old guys are done.” — Knicks guard Josh Hart, on Wembanyama following a 42-point, 18-rebound, four-block effort on Christmas.
1. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Last Ladder: No. 1
Season stats: 30.7 ppg, 12.6 rpg, 9.4 apg
His case: Although the Nuggets continue to play to mixed reviews — and that’s being kind — “The Joker” is showing few signs of stress or wear. He’s coming off a two-assist game but that’s more due to his teammates’ inability to translate his passes into buckets.
That said, as the NBA season distances itself from Christmas, the games-won factor weighs heavier here on the Ladder. It wouldn’t necessarily eliminate Jokić from the conversation, but it makes for some serious talk.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Last Ladder: No. 2
Season stats: 32.7 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 6.0 apg
His case: After complaining about the Bucks not appearing on the Christmas Day slate, Antetokounmpo sat the next night due to back spasms that have plagued him over the last week.
Nonetheless, Antetokounmpo is still breathing the healthy fumes of the recent Emirates NBA Cup title, and that should be enough to keep him elevated on the Ladder.
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last Ladder: No. 3
Season stats: 31.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 6.1 apg
His case: He delivered emphatically in consecutive games, getting 41 points against the Wizards, then dropped 45 on the Pacers to generate a comeback win Thursday.
Unlike the two players rated ahead of him, Gilgeous-Alexander is steering a conference leader, which will lean in his favor as the season progresses.
4. Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks
Last Ladder: No. 4
Season stats: 28.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 7.8 apg
His case: Red alert — a calf strain could jeopardize Dončić’s MVP chances. Before suffering the injury this week, he missed eight games this season. If this latest injury causes him to sit for a significant time, he’d be in danger of missing the 65-game cutoff for awards eligibility.
That would be unfortunate for a five-time All-NBA player to miss making it a sixth time in addition to MVP consideration despite having the statistical numbers.
5. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Last Ladder: No. 5
Season stats: 29 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 5.6 apg
His case: He was about the only bright spot (32-15-4) for the Celtics in their Christmas Day loss to the Sixers and, once again, is closing out a strong month. To date in December, Tatum is averaging 29.5 ppg, 11.8 rpg and 5.3 apg.
Consistency, winning and a bigger presence on the boards are keeping Tatum in the Top 5.
The Next 5:
6. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
7. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
8. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
9. De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings
10. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
And five more (listed alphabetically): Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks; Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers; Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns; Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets; Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.
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