It was a surprising 2025-26 regular season for Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
The Spurs didn’t even win as many games they did this season in the previous two combined. It has truly been a striking turnaround, one that few could’ve predicted back in October.
Everyone understood what Wembanyama was about after his first couple of games as a pro, but after two seasons that saw the 7-foot-5 Frenchman put up gaudy numbers for a losing team, many expected it would take some time for the Spurs to recapture some 2000s glory.
Not only has San Antonio become one of the best teams in the NBA, Wembanyama has blossomed into an MVP candidate. He’ll surely be in the thick of the race for years to come barring health.
SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 6: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs talks with Mitch Johnson head coach of the San Antonio Spurs. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
For now, Wembanyama and the Spurs are pivoting their focus to the playoffs.
The world is eager to get a taste of San Antonio in the big games.
Is this young and inexperienced team up for the task?
Spurs Coach Shares Major Update on Victor Wembanyama — and the NBA Universe Better Take Notice
What more can be said about the season he just had. At 22 years old, he has already nabbed some elite company.
This season, Wembanyama averaged 25 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game, becoming the first player since Shaquille O’Neal in 1999-2000 to register those numbers. Wembanyama is only the sixth player in NBA history to average that statline.
He also shot 51.2% from the field, 34.9% from 3-point range and 82.7% from the free-throw line.
From a sheer numbers perspective, it is clear Wembanyama has what it takes to thrive in the big games.
But wait until you hear a little bit more about the 22-year-old’s body.
“I think he’s the strongest, the best in shape he’s been in since I’ve been around,” said Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson, according to the San Antonio Express-News. “He’s fought through some games just in terms of, not injury, but physicality, the toll of a really competitive high-level game. And then he’s made it out on the other side and felt what that feels like after the game, felt what that feels like the morning after on a back-to-back.”
Those comments will definitely each the eyes and ears of playoff teams.
Perhaps the biggest knock on Wembanyama when he entered the NBA was his delicate frame. But three years later, he has already eliminated that concern, according to San Antonio’s bench boss.
In a playoff setting that often demands physical toughness, Wembanyama apparently has what it takes to withstand the physicality required to win a series.
Johnson Gives Update on Spurs Star’s Health Entering Postseason
Wembanyama may certainly have gotten stronger, but he was still banged up in the final week of the regular season.
Last Monday against Philadelphia, Wembanyama suffered a mid-court collision that saw him tumble to the floor in pain. Further evaluation revealed that Wembanyama sustained a rib contusion, not a major injury but enough to cause concern.
Wembanyama missed the following game against the Portland Trail Blazers; then, he played 48 hours later and scored 40 points like nothing ever happened.
However, coach Johnson stated yesterday that Wembanyama is still dealing with some soreness.
“He’s doing well but just a little sore and [we] felt it was the appropriate decision [sit him],” Johnson said before Sunday’s game.
The Spurs are gearing up for the first round of the playoffs this weekend. They’ll face the winner of the play-in game between the Blazers and Suns.
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