Along with a strong top three, this season’s ballot has six players who can make strong arguments that they deserve the award.

Victor Wembanyama faced Nikola Jokić for the first time this season, and the two MVP candidates delivered an epic.

In his first career playoff game, Victor Wembanyama dropped 35 points in the San Antonio Spurs opening game win. The No. 2 seed Spurs took down the No. 7 Portland Trail Blazers 111-98 in the first game of their first round matchup. It was the first playoff game of the Wembanyama era of the team and he took the spotlight.

The Nuggets star’s late-game magic, capped by his signature fadeaway, proved the difference in a showdown of MVP candidates and Western Conference contenders.

Denver's Nikola Jokić, left, and San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama staged a classic battle Saturday, and the MVP candidates might be heading for a playoff showdown as well. Justin Edmonds / Getty Images DENVER — In a league threatening to get lost in ...

We'll provide highlights, live scores and all of the action around the NBA for this Saturday slate. NBA.com Staff -Nuggets Defeat Spurs in OT on Prime: This was one of the best games of the season between two contenders.

NBA Communications: The three finalists for the 2025-26 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award: Chet Holmgren, @okcthunder Ausar Thompson, @DetroitPistons Victor Wembanyama, @spurs The NBA started announcing the the three finalists for its end-of-season awards on Sunday, beginning with Defensive Player of the Year.