SAN ANTONIO — Victor Wembanyama’s meteoric rise reached a historic milestone on Tuesday when the NBA announced he is one of three finalists for the 2024-25 Most Valuable Player award, alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets. The recognition caps a breakthrough season for the 20-year-old French phenom, who transformed the San Antonio Spurs from a rebuilding franchise into a legitimate Western Conference contender.
Wembanyama becomes the first international player since Dirk Nowitzki in 2007 to be named an MVP finalist, and only the second player in NBA history to achieve the feat before turning 21, joining LeBron James as the youngest ever to be so honored. His selection underscores not just individual brilliance, but the profound impact he’s had on a Spurs team that won 56 games — 22 more than the previous season — and secured the fifth seed in the fiercely competitive Western Conference.
The announcement came just hours after San Antonio completed a 4-0 sweep of the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round, a series in which Wembanyama averaged 28.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, and 2.6 assists while shooting 51.2% from the field and 38.7% from three-point range. His performance in Game 4 — a 119-110 victory at the Frost Bank Center — included 35 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 blocks, marking the first 35-point, 10-rebound, 5-block game in playoff history by a player under 21.
“It’s incredible to be mentioned in the same breath as those guys,” Wembanyama said after the game, referring to Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokić. “But the perform isn’t done. We wanted to make noise in these playoffs, and we’ve done that. Now we’ve got a chance to maintain going.”
The Spurs will now face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals, a best-of-seven series set to begin Saturday at 8:30 p.m. CT / 1:30 a.m. UTC in Minneapolis. Minnesota earned the No. 4 seed with a 57-25 record, defeating the Phoenix Suns in six games. The Timberwolves boast the league’s top-rated defense, allowing just 106.3 points per game — a stark contrast to San Antonio’s offensive juggernaut, which ranked third in the NBA at 118.7 points per game.
Wembanyama’s defensive presence will be critical against Minnesota’s interior-heavy attack, led by Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns. In the regular season, Wembanyama held opponents to just 42.3% shooting at the rim when he was the primary defender — the best mark among all players who logged at least 200 minutes in that situation. His ability to switch onto guards and protect the rim has made him the NBA’s first player since Hakeem Olajuwon to record at least 200 blocks, 100 steals, and 50 three-pointers made in a single season.
Offensively, Wembanyama’s versatility continues to redefine what’s possible for a 7-foot-4 player. He became the first player in NBA history to average at least 25 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 three-pointers made per game in a season. His 3.8 blocks per game led the league, and he joined Mark Eaton and George Johnson as the only players to record at least 300 blocks in a rookie or sophomore campaign.
The Spurs’ transformation under head coach Gregg Popovich has been nothing short of remarkable. After missing the playoffs for five consecutive seasons, San Antonio clinched a postseason berth on April 10 with a win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Popovich, now in his 28th season with the franchise, praised Wembanyama’s maturity and work ethic.
“Victor doesn’t just want to be great — he wants to be the best,” Popovich said. “He’s constantly asking how he can get better, whether it’s his footwork, his decision-making, or his conditioning. That’s rare at any age, let alone at 20.”
Internationally, Wembanyama’s MVP finalist status has ignited celebrations across France, where he is already a national icon. French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated him on social media, calling him “a source of pride for all French sports.” In San Antonio, the Alamodome — which hosted Spurs games during the Frost Bank Center’s renovation — has seen a surge in attendance, with average crowds up 34% this season.
The NBA’s MVP voting is conducted by a panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters from the United States and Canada, with each voter ranking their top five choices. Points are awarded on a 10-7-5-3-1 basis. While the winner will not be announced until after the NBA Finals, Wembanyama’s finalist status alone marks a historic achievement for the league’s globalization efforts.
Only three international players have ever won the MVP award: Hakeem Olajuwon (Nigeria, 1994), Steve Nash (Canada, 2005, 2006), and Dirk Nowitzki (Germany, 2007). If Wembanyama wins, he would become the first French player to claim the honor and the youngest MVP since Wes Unseld in 1969.
Looking ahead, the Spurs’ semifinal matchup against Minnesota presents a formidable challenge. The Timberwolves swept the season series 3-0, including a 120-105 victory in San Antonio in March. However, Wembanyama has elevated his game in the playoffs, increasing his scoring average by 4.1 points per game compared to the regular season while maintaining his elite defensive numbers.
“We know what they bring,” Wembanyama said of Minnesota. “They’re physical, they’re disciplined, and they make you earn every point. But we believe in what we’ve built. We’ve got the depth, the versatility, and the belief to go toe-to-toe with anyone.”
The winner of the Spurs-Timberwolves series will advance to the Western Conference Finals, where they would face either the Denver Nuggets or the Los Angeles Clippers. Denver, the defending champions, defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in six games, while Clippers pushed the Nuggets to seven before falling in Game 7.
For now, the focus remains on the next step. The Spurs will hold their first practice for the semifinals on Friday at the Frost Bank Center, with media availability scheduled for 10:30 a.m. CT / 3:30 p.m. UTC. Tip-off for Game 1 is set for Saturday at 8:30 p.m. CT / 1:30 a.m. UTC.
Whether Wembanyama takes home the MVP trophy or not, his impact on the game is already undeniable. He has not only revitalized a storied franchise but has similarly redefined the limits of what a player of his size can accomplish on the basketball court. As the playoffs continue, the world will be watching to see just how far this extraordinary talent can go.
Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the NBA playoffs, including live updates, analysis, and exclusive insights from the Frost Bank Center. Share your thoughts in the comments below — what do you think Wembanyama’s ceiling is in this postseason?
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