Victor Wembanyama enters the 2026/27 season as one of the most talked-about players in basketball, coming off a campaign that cemented him as a genuine MVP-caliber force.
## Building on a Historic Season
Wembanyama averaged 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game last season, finishing as an MVP finalist alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić while helping San Antonio post a franchise-best 62 wins and reach the NBA Finals, where they eventually fell to New York in five games. Our full NBA Finals history breakdown covers that series and every champion crowned before it.
## Defensive Dominance
Beyond his offensive production, Wembanyama’s rim protection and perimeter versatility have made San Antonio’s defense one of the league’s most disruptive units, with opponents shooting notably worse at the rim whenever he’s on the floor.
## The MVP Conversation Entering This Season
With back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander chasing history and Jokić still producing at an elite level, Wembanyama enters this season as a genuine contender to finally claim the award himself, particularly if San Antonio can build on last season’s Finals run.
## Health Remains the Key Variable
Wembanyama’s availability has occasionally been a talking point in recent seasons, and staying healthy across a full 82-game slate remains the clearest path to both individual awards and a deeper Spurs playoff run this year.
## Why San Antonio Looks Even More Dangerous
Last season’s Finals appearance was widely viewed as ahead of schedule for a rebuilding Spurs franchise. Entering 2026/27 with real continuity and championship experience, San Antonio looks positioned to contend again in a crowded Western Conference.
## What to Watch For
Keep an eye on Wembanyama’s efficiency numbers early in the season, as well as San Antonio’s overall defensive rating, both will offer the clearest signal yet of whether last year’s breakthrough was the beginning of sustained contention rather than a one-year surprise.
## The Bottom Line
Few players in the league carry higher expectations entering this season than Wembanyama, and after a Finals appearance at just 22 years old, the ceiling for both him and San Antonio looks higher than ever.