Victor Wembanyama is putting up elite numbers this season. The 7-foot-4 Frenchman, now in his third NBA season, has been one of the most impactful two-way players in the league.
Wembanyama is averaging 24.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, and a league-leading 3 blocks per game in 54 outings while shooting an efficient 50.6% from the field. His defensive presence has made him a clear favorite for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
However, when it comes to the MVP race, veteran NBA reporter Skip Bayless believes consistency remains a concern for Wembanyama.
Why Skip Bayless Questions Victor Wembanyama’s MVP Case
Speaking on the “Gil’s Arena” podcast, Bayless pointed out that Wembanyama tends to fluctuate from game to game, especially when compared to the league’s top MVP contender.
“When he [Wembanyama] decides before a game, as he did in four of the five Thunder games, when he decides he is going to play tonight, he plays his a** off. But there are many games along the trail where I don’t know what he is doing…”
“SGA plays every dribble of every night. It’s not like Russell Westbrook hard, it’s not shocking to your eye, but he’s playing at the same speed every dribble every night. So to me, he is still it, his team is still it,” Bayless noted.
Bayless was referring to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who continues to lead the MVP race with his consistent performances night after night.
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Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, has been remarkably steady this season. He is averaging 31.5 points per game, second only to Luka Dončić, and recently broke Wilt Chamberlain’s long-standing record for consecutive 20-point games, reaching 127 straight outings.
That level of consistency is what separates the 2025 NBA champion in the MVP conversation. While Wembanyama has delivered exceptional stretches, Bayless feels he hasn’t yet matched that night-to-night reliability.
Still, Wembanyama’s impact cannot be overlooked. He is currently averaging the league’s 14th-best scoring mark at 24.2 points per game and leads in blocks per game while also shooting a career-best 35.9% from beyond the arc. His ability to influence both ends of the floor makes him one of the most unique players in the league.
Team success has also played a role in his rising profile. The San Antonio Spurs hold a strong 41-13 record with Wembanyama this season, keeping them firmly in the playoff mix.
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Even so, the MVP race remains highly competitive. Along with Gilgeous-Alexander, players like Nikola Jokić continue to dominate the conversation at the top.
For now, Wembanyama appears to be just outside that inner circle. The numbers, the impact, and the team success are all in place. As Bayless pointed out, the final piece might simply be consistency throughout an entire season.
That said, Wembanyama continues to power the Spurs’ ascent as the team sits second in the West with a 51-18 record, right behind the Thunder.
