Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
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Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts to a score during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on October 22, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
Though just early in his third NBA season with the San Antonio Spurs, the impact of Victor Wembanyama has been undeniable.
Injuries and inconsistency cast a shadow on his first two seasons, but now in 2025-26, the French superstar is finally showing his true potential. Through theSpurs’ first three games of the season, Wembanyama is averaging 33.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, and six blocks per game, while leading the team to a 3-0 record.
After his performances to begin the year, the NBA announced Wembanyama had won the Western Conference Player of the Week award.
“Is three games into the season too soon to declare the start of an era? Too early to start saying Victor Wembanyama could win MVP this season?”Kurt Helin of NBC Sports wrote about the 21-year-old. “Too early to say he has started putting it all together, and the league is on notice? If you say it is too early, have you watched whathe’s done in those three games?”
Both offensively and defensively, Wembanyama has set himself high above the rest of the league. He is in the top six in scoring, fourth in rebounding, and has a historical margin with the most blocks.
VictorWembanyama’s Historic Early Season Run
Even before his jaw-dropping start to this season, Wembanyama had been breaking records thatwere previously seen as untouchable. But this year, the first in which the7’5”center looks to be coming into histrue form, he is doing things that have neverbeen seen in the first three games of 2025.
“Wembanyama’s start to the season has been historic: He is the first player in NBA history to score 100+ points and have 15+ blocks through the first three games of a season,”Kelin wrote. “In those three games, Wembanyama is averaging 33.3 points, 13.3 rebounds and six blocks a game — and none of those numbers do justice to how he looks on the court. He is playing with more force, skill, and confidence than ever before.”
The potential for Wembanyama has been clear since he became the top prospect in the 2023 NBA Draft, but questions have remained about whether the star could stay healthy and live up to the high expectations. Speaking atSpurs’ media day, he said he felt confident, but now that is showing up in his play.
“This is my best summer so far,”Wembanyama said to reporters before the season began. “I can tell the progress is just incredible. I feel better, I look stronger, and the scale saysI’m heavier. So, everything is a green light.”
Hehasn’t put up thesame numbers with an equal level of on-court awe, but Giannis Antetokounmpo was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week. As is common, his numbers across the first week of the season were also top-tier, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a 2-1 start.
Spurs Look Like Contenders To Begin The Year
Whileit’s been Wembanyama making the headlines for San Antonio, the team as a whole has been playing their best basketball since he arrived. With a 3-0 record, the Spurs sit atop the conference standings, tied with the Oklahoma City Thunder as the only undefeated team in the West.
Stephon Castle has been big for them so far, as the reigning Rookie of the Year is averaging 17 points, 6.3 rebounds, and five assists on 52.9% shooting in a starting role. Devin Vassell has also made a jump, averaging a career-high 17 points per game in three appearances.
Keldon Johnson, Luke Kornet, and Julian Champagnie have also been solid contributors, while rookies Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant still look to be gaining footing early in their careers.The Spurs are still withoutDe’Aaron Fox, who isdealing with a hamstring injurysuffered a few weeks ago, but his absence has yet toaffect theteam’s record.
San Antonio haswins over the Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans, and Brooklyn Nets tobegin the season. Whiletougher opponentsare ahead,Wembanyama’s play has been a critical factor in theteam’s success, andso far,he’s now being recognized for it.