Kia MVP Ladder: Victor Wembanyama starts knocking on the Top 5 door

On December 28, 2024By Littum

Victor Wembanyama finished with 42 points and 18 rebounds in a loss to the New York Knicks on Christmas Day.

He hasn’t cracked the top 5 on the Kia MVP Ladder this week or this season, but he has pierced the conversation.

We’re talking — literally — about Victor Wembanyama, the fast-rising San Antonio Spurs center at No. 6, whose arrival on so many levels is beginning to happen.

Wemby owns a pair of 42-point games, most recently at Christmas, and a 10-block game in December. There are still five days left in December, but here are his averages this month: 29.1 points, 10.7 rebounds and 4.7 blocks per game.

If he maintains that same energy in January, not only is the breakout season official, but his first serious All-NBA run is all but locked up.

As for MVP? There is tough competition. For Wemby to become a finalist in his second season would be a huge achievement. And he tends to win more such awards in the future anyway.

So it’s a Wemby flavor to this week’s Kia MVP Ladder, which could soon see a shake-up.

Setting the scene this week: Not only is Wembanyama making a case for being a top-10 MVP contender, he’s also clinching the Kia Defensive Player of the Year pole position. That’s why his Sunday matchup against Rudy Gobert is two-fold: a pair of Frenchmen and maybe last season’s against this season’s DPOY.

Statistics to know: Wembanyama has taken 90 3-pointers in December, making 38.9%. Stephen Curry has taken 109 3-pointers in December and made 37.9%.

What they say: “God God, he’s different. The league is in good hands when all the old guys are done.” — Knicks guard Josh Hart at Wembanyama after a 42-point, 18-rebound, four-block effort on Christmas.

1. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

Last ladder: no. 1
Season statistics: 30.7 ppg, 12.6 rpg, 9.4 apg

His case: Even as the Nuggets continue to play to mixed reviews — and that’s being kind — “The Joker” shows few signs of stress or wear and tear. He’s coming off a two-assist game, but that’s more due to his teammates’ inability to turn his passes into buckets.

That being said, as the NBA season moves away from Christmas, the game won carries more weight here on the ladder. That wouldn’t necessarily remove Jokić from the conversation, but it makes for some serious conversation.

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Last ladder: no. 2
Season statistics: 32.7 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 6.0 apg

His case: After complaining about the Bucks not showing up on the Christmas Day slate, Antetokounmpo sat the next night because of back spasms that have plagued him for the past week.

Nevertheless, Antetokounmpo is still breathing the healthy fumes of the recent Emirates NBA Cup title and that should be enough to keep him high on the ladder.

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Last ladder: no. 3
Season statistics: 31.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 6.1 apg

His case: He delivered emphatically in consecutive games, scoring 41 points against the Wizards, then dropped 45 on the Pacers to generate a comeback win Thursday.

Unlike the two players rated ahead of him, Gilgeous-Alexander commands a conference lead that will lean in his favor as the season progresses.

4. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Last ladder: no. 4
Season statistics: 28.1 pages, 8.3 pages, 7.8 pages

His case: Red alert — a calf strain could jeopardize Dončić’s MVP chances. Before getting injured this week, he missed eight games this season. If this latest injury sidelines him for any length of time, he would be in danger of missing the 65-game cutoff for award eligibility.

It would be unfortunate for a five-time All-NBA player to miss out on making it a sixth time beyond MVP consideration despite the statistical numbers.

5. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Last ladder: no. 5
Season statistics: 29 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 5.6 apg

His case: He was about the only bright spot (32-15-4) for the Celtics in their Christmas Day loss to the Sixers and is again closing out a strong month. To date in December, Tatum is averaging 29.5 ppg, 11.8 rpg and 5.3 apg.

Consistency, victory and a greater presence on the boards keep Tatum in the top 5.

The next 5:

6. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
7. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
8. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
9. De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings
10. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

And five more (alphabetically): Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks; Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers; Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns; Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets; Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can email him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.

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