Wembanyama Targets MVP After 41-Point, 18-Rebound Rout of Warriors
SLUG: wembanyama-mvp-push-41-point-night
SAN FRANCISCO — Victor Wembanyama made another loud case for the league’s highest individual honor on Wednesday, recording 41 points and 18 rebounds in the San Antonio Spurs’ 127-113 victory over the shorthanded Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.
Moments after the game, the 7-foot-4 center told ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt that the Most Valuable Player award is firmly on his radar. “I do care deeply about it,” Wembanyama said. “The greats in the Hall of Fame grabbed everything they could early in their careers. If I want my place among them, I can’t miss any opportunity to put my name up there.”
The Spurs jumped out to a double-digit lead within the first three minutes and never trailed, extending their overall winning streak to 10 games and pushing to 15 consecutive victories in contests Wembanyama has played. During that 15-game span, the 22-year-old is averaging 27.9 points and 12.3 rebounds.
Wednesday’s performance also marked Wembanyama’s fifth straight outing with at least 15 rebounds, the longest such run by a San Antonio player since Dennis Rodman’s stretch in 1995 and eclipsing franchise legends Tim Duncan and David Robinson, who each posted four-game streaks. “Wow,” Wembanyama said when informed. “I’ve watched a lot of Rodman highlights. They don’t make them like him anymore.”
San Antonio is 26-2 over its past 28 games, trimming Oklahoma City’s lead for the Western Conference’s top seed to two games with six remaining. The Spurs own the tiebreaker after winning four of five meetings with the Thunder.
Oklahoma City is finishing strong as well, winning 15 of its last 16. Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has topped 40 points three times in the past two weeks, keeping pressure on Wembanyama in the individual race.
Even if the MVP slips away, Wembanyama is widely viewed as the frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year honors. Before tip-off, Warriors coach Steve Kerr labeled him “obviously the best defensive player in the league.” After watching Wembanyama dominate on both ends, Kerr doubled down. “He knows exactly what to do now,” the coach said. “On several lobs it looked like a Nerf hoop. He was brilliant.”
Source: ESPN
