Victor Wembanyama strengthens MVP case with 41-point game, gets high praise from Steve Kerr: ‘He’s brilliant’
With Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić in the midst of a dominant stretch, San Antonio Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama decided to remind everyone that he too deserves strong MVP consideration.
Wembanyama had an excellent performance in a 127-113 win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, scoring 41 points and grabbing 18 rebounds in the win. It was Wembanyama’s second straight 41-point game and fifth straight game with at least 15 rebounds, something no Spurs player had accomplished since Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman.
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That performance received huge praise from Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who said Wembanyama has taken his game to another level this season, according to ESPN.
“He has incredible confidence now,” Kerr said. “He looks like he knows exactly what to do on both ends. In his first couple of years, he looked young at times. He doesn’t look young anymore. He just looks like he knows exactly what he’s doing. He dominated the glass. There are plays where you can’t do anything. Several lobs where it looked like a Nerf basket. He’s brilliant.”
Wembanyama, who has openly campaigned for the MVP award, reiterated his desire to take home some hardware during an appearance on ESPN after the game.
“I care deeply,” Wembanyama told ESPN. “I think the greats who are in the Hall of Fame – or the best of all time – fought and took everything they could get early in their careers. If I want to find my place among the greats, I have to try not to miss any opportunity to put my name up there.”
In reality, winning the prize could prove difficult. Dončić has forced his way into the conversation after a phenomenal stretch, in which he averaged 39.8 points over his last 13 games. Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the clear favorite for the award, has been nearly as good, averaging 31.5 points over his last 11 games.
Even with two 41-point attempts, Wembanyama has averaged 27.5 points over his last 10 games. This is lower than the other two MVP candidates, although Wembanyama provides more value than either player as a rebounder and defender.
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It remains to be seen whether these all-round contributions will lead to Wembanyama winning the MVP award. What is clear is that Wembanyama has clearly established himself as the star and face of the league this season.
If he doesn’t take home MVP honors this season, it seems like a matter of time before the honor goes his way.