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Tag: Victor Wembanyama

  • NBA announces end-of-season award finalists for 2026: Star power and rising talent highlight list 

    NBA announces end-of-season award finalists for 2026: Star power and rising talent highlight list 

    The National Basketball Association has officially unveiled the finalists for its 2026 end-of-season awards, with the announcement made early Monday morning, April 20 (Philippine Standard Time). As the regular season draws to a close, the league’s top individual honors are once again at the center of attention, highlighting the standout performers across multiple categories.

     

    As is customary, NBA studio analysts revealed the top three finalists for each major award, including Most Valuable Player (MVP), Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, Sixth Man of the Year, and Clutch Player of the Year. This year’s list features a compelling mix of established superstars and emerging talents who have made significant impacts throughout the season.

     

    NBA awards finalist list:

     

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    MVP

     

    • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
    • Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
    • Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)

    Defensive Player of the Year 

     

    • Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
    • Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder)
    • Ausar Thompson (Detroit Pistons)

    Coach of the Year

     

    • Joe Mazzulla (Boston Celtics)
    • J.B. Bickerstaff (Detroit Pistons)
    • Mitch Johnson (San Antonio Spurs)

    Rookie of the Year

     

    • Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks)
    • Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets)
    • VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers)

    Sixth Man of the Year

     

    • Keldon Johnson (San Antonio Spurs)
    • Jaime Jaquez (Miami Heat)
    • Tim Hardaway Jr. (Denver Nuggets)

    Clutch Player of the Year

     

    • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
    • Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
    • Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets)

    Notably, the league’s 65-game minimum requirement once again played a major role in determining award eligibility. Several high-profile stars were ruled ineligible for end-of-season honors and All-NBA team consideration after failing to meet the threshold. 

     

     

    Top players ineligible for NBA awards this season:

     

    • LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
    • Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
    • Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
    • Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
    • Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)
    • Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
    • Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder)
    • Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)

    However, exceptions were granted in certain cases. Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham were both deemed eligible despite falling short of the 65-game requirement after successfully receiving an Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge exception. Additionally, while Edwards played only 59 games this season, he remained eligible for the Clutch Player of the Year award, as that specific honor does not fall under the same participation rule.

     

    With a diverse pool of finalists and several storylines shaping the race, this year’s NBA awards season promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. The winners are expected to be announced during the playoffs, adding further excitement as the league transitions from regular-season accolades to postseason intensity.

     

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  • Victor Wembanyama believes he deserves to win the NBA MVP this season

    Victor Wembanyama believes he deserves to win the NBA MVP this season

    Victor Wembanyama continues to live up to the immense hype surrounding him, emerging as one of the most electrifying young stars in the National Basketball Association and a cornerstone for the resurgence of the San Antonio Spurs.

     

    Now in full stride, the 22-year-old has evolved into a dominant two-way force, impacting games on both ends of the floor with rare versatility. His presence has been instrumental in the Spurs’ remarkable campaign, as the team currently sits second in the Western Conference with a 54-18 record. Their recent 136-111 victory over the Miami Heat on Tuesday, March 24 (Philippine Standard Time), also secured San Antonio its first Southwest Division title in nine years—another sign of the franchise’s rapid rise.

     

    Following the win, Wembanyama made it clear that individual accolades remain part of his focus, particularly the league’s most prestigious honor.

     

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    “I have thought about it. I think right now there is a debate. There should be, even though I think I should lead the race. I’m trying to make sure that at the end of the season, there is no debate,” Wembanyama said.

     

    The numbers support his case. Wembanyama is averaging 24.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 3.0 blocks per game—an extraordinarily rare statistical combination achieved by only a handful of legends in NBA history. Among those who have posted similar season averages are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O’Neal, Patrick Ewing, and David Robinson—placing the young Frenchman in elite company.

    Despite his historic production, the MVP race remains highly competitive. Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder is widely considered the frontrunner, followed by Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers. Wembanyama, meanwhile, is firmly in the conversation, currently ranked third ahead of Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets.

     

    Still, Wembanyama believes his overall impact—particularly on defense—sets him apart.

     

    “My first one would be that defense is 50% of the game and that it is undervalued so far in the MVP race. I believe I’m the most impactful player defensively in the league. Second argument would be we almost swept OKC in the season, and we dominated them three times with their real team. The third argument would be that offense impact is not just points. Right now, it is still reasonable that there is a debate. But as I said, my goal is to make sure there’s no debate anymore at the end of the season,” he added.

     

    Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson echoed that sentiment, offering a strong endorsement of his star player’s MVP candidacy.

     

    “I think he’s close. All those guys you named are deserving; a couple of them already have that award. And I’m very biased. I get to see one of those guys every single night. I get to see him on the practice court. I get to see what he does in the morning. I get to see what he does right now after the game. So, I understand my opinion and outlook and perspective is very different than almost everyone else.

     

    “But he affects as much of the game in every single way – on the court, on both ends, with and without the ball, what the other team tries to do, plan for, scheme, adjust to, on both sides of the basketball, in my very ignorant opinion, as much as any other player I have ever seen. Take that for whatever it’s worth,” Johnson stated.

     

    As the regular season nears its conclusion, Wembanyama’s MVP push is gaining undeniable momentum. With elite production, defensive dominance, and team success all working in his favor, the young superstar is making a compelling case to join the league’s most exclusive club. Whether he ultimately claims the award or not, one thing is increasingly clear—Wembanyama is no longer just the future of the NBA; he is rapidly becoming its present.

     

     

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  • Stephen Curry, Lakers top NBA jersey and team merchandise sales lists for 2025-26

    Stephen Curry, Lakers top NBA jersey and team merchandise sales lists for 2025-26

    The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) jointly announced on Tuesday that Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry and the Los Angeles Lakers have claimed the top spots on the league’s latest Top-Selling Jersey and Team Merchandise lists, respectively. The rankings are based on sales data from NBAStore.com and Fanatics’ global network of online retail platforms, including Fanatics.com and its affiliated partner sites.

     

    Curry’s continued dominance atop the jersey sales chart underscores his enduring popularity and global appeal, even deep into his decorated career. Widely regarded as one of the most influential players in modern basketball, the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player remains a fan favorite thanks to his electrifying shooting, championship pedigree, and cultural impact on the game.

     

    The Lakers’ position as the top-selling team further highlights the franchise’s massive worldwide following. With a roster that blends star power, legacy, and championship expectations, Los Angeles continues to lead the league in merchandise sales, reinforcing its status as one of the NBA’s most iconic brands.

     

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    The updated Top-Selling Jersey list also reflects the league’s evolving star hierarchy and growing international reach. Nine players on the list have been named starters for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, which will introduce a new U.S. vs. World format and will be held on February 15 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

    Those All-Star starters include:

    • No. 1 Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors) 
    • No. 2 Luka Dončić (Los Angeles Lakers) 
    • No. 3 Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks) 
    • No. 4 Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs) 
    • No. 7 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder) 
    • No. 9 Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets) 
    • No. 10 Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers) 
    • No. 13 Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) 
    • No. 14 Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons) 

    The list also features notable new faces. Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg, who checks in at No. 11, makes his debut on the rankings, reflecting strong early fan interest in the highly touted newcomer. Cunningham, meanwhile, also appears on the list for the first time, marking a milestone in his rising profile as the face of the Pistons’ rebuild.

     

    International stars continue to play a major role in shaping the NBA’s commercial landscape. Five non-U.S. players rank among the top jersey sellers, highlighting the league’s expanding global audience. These include Dončić of Slovenia, Wembanyama of France, Gilgeous-Alexander of Canada, Jokić of Serbia, and Antetokounmpo of Greece—each representing a different country and reinforcing the NBA’s worldwide appeal.

     

    Among the biggest movers on the list is Jalen Brunson, who climbed to a career-high No. 3 ranking after finishing last season at No. 5. The Knicks guard’s rise mirrors his on-court ascension as one of the league’s premier point guards and a cornerstone of New York’s resurgence.

     

    Overall, the latest jersey and merchandise sales data offer a snapshot of the NBA’s current star power—one defined by a mix of established icons, emerging young talent, and a growing international presence. As the league heads toward All-Star Weekend and the latter stages of the season, fan engagement remains strong, both on the court and at the checkout counter.

     

     

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  • NBA Injury Report: Victor Wembanyama avoids major injury

    NBA Injury Report: Victor Wembanyama avoids major injury

    San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama suffered a left knee injury Thursday night but has avoided serious damage, the team confirmed. 

     

    The 21-year-old All-Star exited San Antonio’s 134-132 win over the New York Knicks after hyperextending his left knee late in the fourth quarter and will miss at least Friday’s game against the Indiana Pacers.

     

    Wembanyama was injured with just over 10 minutes remaining while chasing an offensive rebound against Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns. 

     

    Replays showed the French big man landed awkwardly, causing his left knee to hyperextend, and he immediately signaled for help before limping to the Spurs’ locker room.

     

    Team officials described Wembanyama’s condition as a mild hyperextension and listed his status as day-to-day, meaning no long-term structural injury was detected.

     

    Despite the scare, Wembanyama briefly returned to the bench later in the game, visible without a limp as the Spurs rallied to secure the narrow victory.

     

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    Before his exit, he had already delivered an All-Star performance with 31 points and 13 rebounds in just 24 minutes of play.

     

    Wembanyama himself downplayed the injury in postgame comments, describing it as “just a hyperextension” and expressing confidence in a quick return. He noted that, while his body felt sore, he was optimistic about being available in San Antonio’s next game.

     

    The setback comes amid a strong season for the young superstar as Wembanyama has been a driving force for the Spurs, averaging stellar numbers and anchoring both ends of the floor. 

     

    San Antonio announced that Wembanyama will remain in San Antonio to continue rehabilitation and will not travel with the team for their next game against the Indiana Pacers, a move aimed at closely monitoring his knee and ensuring he is fully ready for upcoming matchups.

     

    As the Spurs prepare for a stretch of games without their All-Star, the coaching staff is expected to lean more heavily on role players to fill the production gap – just like they did early in the season when Wembanyama was suffering from a calf injury.

     

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