SAN ANTONIO — Victor Wembanyama dropped 41 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in just 29 minutes Wednesday night, leading the surging San Antonio Spurs to a 127-113 victory over the Golden State Warriors and their 10th straight win. It was the second consecutive 40-point, 15-rebound game for the 22-year-old phenom, prompting a familiar question across the league: Is Victor Wembanyama unstoppable now?

Frenchman Victor Wembanyama is one of many European stars in the NBA but the US league is now examining an expansion into Europe
AFP

The 7-foot-4 Frenchman has elevated his game to historic levels in the 2025-26 season, posting averages of 24.7 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and a league-leading 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 50.9% from the field. His defensive impact remains otherworldly, altering shots from the perimeter to the rim in ways few players in NBA history have matched. Offensively, Wembanyama has added strength, improved footwork and expanded range, turning potential weaknesses into matchup nightmares.

Wembanyama's recent tear has fueled MVP chatter. He has scored 30 or more points in six of his last 14 games, averaging nearly 29 points, 12.6 rebounds and 3.5 blocks in that span on 53% shooting. Against the Warriors, he went 16-for-22 from the field, showcasing mid-range pull-ups, step-back threes and thunderous dunks that left defenders helpless. The Spurs improved to 58-18 with the win, sitting just two games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top seed in the Western Conference.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson praised his young star's growth while cautioning that the journey continues. "He's doing things we've never seen before at his size," Johnson said postgame. "But Victor is the first to tell you there's always another level. He studies film, lifts weights and works on his body like a veteran."

The transformation from a skinny rookie to a dominant two-way force has been remarkable. In his third season, Wembanyama has bulked up while maintaining incredible mobility. His block rate leads the NBA, and opponents shoot significantly worse when he is on the floor. Advanced metrics show the Spurs are roughly 16 points per 100 possessions better with Wembanyama in the game, a massive net-rating swing driven largely by elite defense.

Legends and analysts have taken notice. Former players and coaches describe Wembanyama's combination of length, skill and basketball IQ as unprecedented. Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle called him a player with "no comparison in the history of the game" for his two-way impact. NBA analyst Brian Scalabrine went further, saying Wembanyama is "on the precipice of breaking the NBA" and compares his influence to Stephen Curry's revolution with the three-point shot.

Yet Wembanyama remains grounded. After his latest dominant performance, he told ESPN he is squarely chasing the MVP award but emphasized team success above individual honors. The Spurs have gone 26-2 in their last 28 games, a stunning turnaround that has them as legitimate title contenders heading into the playoffs. Wembanyama's presence has energized the young roster, including emerging talents like Stephon Castle and others benefiting from his gravity on both ends.

Defensively, no one has solved the Wembanyama riddle consistently. Guards and wings struggle to finish over his outstretched arms, while bigger centers get blocked or forced into tough shots. His help defense rotates seamlessly, and his ability to switch onto smaller players adds versatility rarely seen in traditional big men. Some call him the frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year, with his rim protection anchoring one of the league's top defenses.

Offensively, progress has been equally impressive. Wembanyama has improved his pick-and-roll efficiency, developed a reliable step-back jumper and become a more willing passer out of double teams. He knocks down 1.9 threes per game at 35%, stretching the floor in ways that open driving lanes for teammates. Free-throw shooting has climbed to 82.3%, reducing a former vulnerability.

Still, questions linger about whether he is truly unstoppable. Some analysts point to occasional lapses in physicality against veteran bruisers or the need for finer details in high-pick-and-roll situations. A minor right ankle issue led to him being ruled out for Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers, a precautionary move after heavy recent minutes. Durability remains a watchpoint for a player of his frame logging big minutes in a physical league.

Wembanyama has missed only a handful of games this season, a positive sign after early injury concerns in his career. The Spurs have managed his workload carefully, often keeping him around 29-30 minutes per night while prioritizing recovery. His conditioning regimen, inspired by LeBron James-level discipline, has drawn praise from veterans who see him as a potential all-time great.

The broader impact extends beyond stats. Wembanyama has injected competitiveness and excitement into a league sometimes criticized for predictability. His relentless motor and joy for the game have lifted the Spurs from lottery hopefuls to contenders in record time. San Antonio's offense ranks among the league's best, averaging nearly 120 points per game, while their defense has tightened significantly with Wembanyama patrolling the paint.

Opponents openly acknowledge the challenge. Warriors coach Steve Kerr, after watching Wembanyama torch his shorthanded team, called the performance "special" and noted the difficulty in game-planning against such unique size and skill. Across the league, coaches experiment with zone defenses, double teams and switching schemes, yet Wembanyama continues to produce at an elite clip.

MVP frontrunners include Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder and others, but many insiders give the edge to the Spurs star for his two-way dominance and team elevation. Recent polls and expert commentary increasingly frame him as the league's most valuable and impactful player, even if traditional scoring leaders edge him in raw points.

At just 22, Wembanyama's ceiling appears limitless. He studies greats like Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant, blending their traits into a singular package. His work ethic off the court matches his production on it, with reports of late-night film sessions and rigorous training.

The Spurs' surprising ascent has rewritten expectations. After years of rebuilding, the franchise sits second in the West with home-court advantage potentially within reach. Wembanyama's leadership by example has been key, as he mentors younger players and sets a culture of accountability and competitiveness.

As the regular season winds down, attention turns to the playoffs, where Wembanyama will face heightened physicality and scrutiny. Can he maintain this level against elite defenses? Will fatigue or minor injuries derail the momentum? For now, the answer seems to be that stopping him requires near-perfect execution from multiple defenders over extended stretches — a tall order even for the NBA's best.

Wembanyama himself downplays the "unstoppable" label. "I'm just trying to help my team win," he said recently. "There are always adjustments to make, always things to improve."

Those improvements may come in subtle areas, such as finer decision-making in certain sets or sustaining energy through deeper playoff runs. Yet the foundation is already elite: size, skill, smarts and an insatiable drive.

NBA legends have weighed in on podcasts and interviews, predicting Wembanyama could cruise to top-10 all-time status with continued health and development. Some go further, suggesting he has the tools to redefine the center position much like Curry redefined the guard spot.

For Spurs fans and basketball purists, watching Wembanyama evolve has been a treat. From his rookie flashes to this season's sustained excellence, the progression feels generational. His ability to dominate without forcing shots, protect the rim without fouling excessively and contribute as a connector makes him a coach's dream.

As April unfolds and playoff seeding solidifies, the narrative around Wembanyama will only intensify. Is he the clear MVP? The best player in the world? Unstoppable? The answers may vary by metric or matchup, but one truth stands out: the NBA has rarely seen a talent quite like this, and at 22, he is only getting started.

The Spurs host more games in the coming days, with Wembanyama expected back soon after ankle management. His absence, however brief, underscores how central he has become to San Antonio's success. When he returns, expect more highlight-reel plays and winning basketball.

Whether Victor Wembanyama is fully unstoppable remains a debate for analysts and fans. What is undeniable is his rapid ascent into the conversation for the game's elite. In a league filled with stars, the alien from France continues to rewrite what is possible at his position and age.