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Shohei Ohtani has already had an illustrious career. He has won four MVP awards along with the Rookie of the Year award and two World Series titles. One award he hasn’t won is the Cy Young, yet Ohtani is laying claim to it this year.

The starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers has had a rough start on the mound. He posted an MLB-leading 0.82 ERA entering Thursday’s game. Ohtani also has a ridiculously low 0.82 WHIP in 44 innings. Can that success continue long enough to earn him a National League Cy Young Award?

What changed for Ohtani?

Prior to 2026, the highest Ohtani had ever achieved in Cy Young voting was fourth in 2022 when he was with the Los Angeles Angels. Despite a career 2.83 ERA over seven seasons in MLB, he was never a top-three finisher. This season is his first full year of pitching since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023. He made his pitching debut with the Dodgers in June of 2025 and impressed with a 2.87 ERA in 47 innings.

So how has Ohtani never won the award before? However, his biggest strength has also been his biggest weakness. Ohtani’s ability to be a two-way player has made him a unicorn of an athlete. But that kind of game also costs money. This has divided his attention between hitting and pitching rather than allowing him to concentrate on either one of them.

Ohtani has always been talented at both, but it’s no surprise that his best hitting seasons came when he couldn’t pitch. The year he was rehabilitating from Tommy John, Ohtani wrote the first 50-50 season in MLB history. It was arguably the greatest offensive season ever. That season he concentrated only on hitting and defied all expectations.

It is no surprise that the same holds true in 2026. For the first time in his career, Ohtani has decided not to hit in the games he plays. It’s turning out incredibly well so far. Although he has had a rough offensive start, hitting .240/.370/.427, his pitching has been excellent.

The underlying metrics are somehow even better

It’s easy to attribute Ohtani’s hot start to good luck, and part of it certainly is. his era is excess His lower than expected ERA, although the expected mark is still incredibly good at 2.17. The same goes for his .182 expected batting average. So luck is definitely a factor to some extent. But, overall, Ohtani’s pitching run value has increased from the 85th percentile (2023) to the 97th percentile (2026). What is the reason behind this change?

The biggest change has come in his speed. Since his Tommy John surgery, the pace has really picked up considerably. In 2023, Ohtani’s two primary pitches were his sweeper and four-seam fastball. Both averaged 83.7 and 96.8 mph, respectively. In 2026? He is using his four-seamer more frequently and has added nearly two miles of distance to it while averaging 98.0 mph. The sweeper also moved up, averaging 84.9 mph. These are, by far, Ohtani’s two most valuable pitches.

Ohtani is also scoring good marks in underlying statistics like Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP). That metric ensures that pitchers are graded only based on outcomes they control (strikeouts, walks, home runs, and hits-by-pitch). In that stat, Ohtani posted a 2.52 FIP with an xFIP of 3.11. Even though his chase percentage is low (30.9 percent), his whiff percentage is in the 89th percentile at 32.0 percent. The ability to make bats miss has worked wonders for Ohtani.

The question is whether luck will favor him or not. ERA- and FIP- (metrics that adjust ERA and FIP by park and league where 100 is average and lower is better) have historically been solid ways to analyze pitching. So far in 2026, Ohtani has boasted a 24 ERA—and 60 FIP—for the best and seventh-best marks in the league, respectively. Skill-Interactive ERA (SIERA), a statistic that predicts future ERA, paints an even better picture of Ohtani’s ability. He has averaged 2.95 points, good for 11th-best mark in MLB.

Shohei Ohtani: King of the Shutout

Ohtani has four shutout starts so far this year. The strangest thing is that he has accomplished this in only seven starts. This has been a big part of his historically low ERA. Tonight, Ohtani added to that by throwing seven shutout innings against the division-rival San Francisco Giants. He scattered four hits and two walks throughout the outing, but neither of them were for extra bases.

The long and short of it is that Ohtani has dominated on the mound this season in a way he never has before. honestly it’s a way No one Have ever done it before. If Ohtani continues to pitch at this level, despite stiff competition from players like Nolan McLean, Jakub Misiorowski and Paul Skenes, he should be able to take home the NL Cy Young Award. only time will tell.

As the NHL season draws to a close, awards voting is just around the corner. From the Senators’ perspective, Travis Greene deserves a mention in the Jack Adams race. Jake Sanderson does the same in Norris Conversation. However, perhaps most deserving of the Selke Trophy debate for the league’s top defensive forward is Shane Pinto. Let’s get into the details.

Read more: It’s time to rally around Brady Tkachuk

shane pinto by numbers

The fun part about this award is that the offensive numbers somehow matter. It’s almost as if this award goes to the best defensive forward who also puts up big-time offensive stats. I guess it can be argued that spending time in the offensive zone is great defense, but then you might as well give the award to Connor McDavid every year. Shane Pinto is a true defense-first forward. His offensive numbers are solid, but he is the third-ranked offensive center with the Senators behind Tim Stuetzle and Dylan Cozens. His job is to defend first and foremost. Here are some key numbers to show Pinto’s defensive value:

• 2:13 Shorthand time on ice/game
• 2 shorthand goals, 4 shorthand points
• 49 blocked shots
• 68.6% of defensive zones start at even strength
• 297 defensive zone faceoff

Pinto ranks first or second among Senators forwards in all of the above statistics. To the Senators’ credit, they have some forwards who take their defensive responsibilities very seriously. Guys like Ridley Gregg, Michael Amadio and Claude Giroux all deserve a lot of credit for helping the Sens become one of the best defensive teams in the NHL.

However, it is the Pinto that stands above them all. A goal late? Pinto will be on ice. Murder as punishment? Pinto is out there. Matching the opposition’s best line-up? Pinto is given work again and again. Often, he is successful in neutralizing the other team’s best offensive players.

Ottawa Senators defensive numbers

The Senators are a middling team in terms of goals against. They rank 17th, giving up 3.04 goals per game. Their penalty kill is even worse, ranking 29th in the NHL at 75%. Goaltending has been the main reason for those failures. His .876 SV% ranks 30th in the NHL, and that’s actually an improvement from the beginning of the year. On January 30 he had a league worst .866 SV. Even their current save percentage is the franchise’s worst since 1993–94. Shorthanded, Linus Ullmark has a save percentage of .811 while Levi Merilainen is even worse at .806.

The Senators are allowing just 24.4 shots per game. This ranks third-best in the NHL behind the Hurricanes (23.8) and Golden Knights (24.3). These three are far ahead of the rest of the players in the league. The fourth-best team, the Flyers, are worse at 25.4 shots against per game. In fact, these three teams have remained in the top three for the last 13 years. In terms of shot attempts, the Senators are third (3,299) behind the Hurricanes (3,032) and Lightning (3,248).

Travis Green deserves a lot of credit for the Senators’ defensive play. The forward he relies on most to lead the team in the mentality of blocking shots is undoubtedly Shane Pinto. Green is sure to give Stützle and Cozens more offensive opportunities and better offensive wingers. Pinto’s most common classmates are Giroux, Amadio, Greg, and Cousins. When you’re on Pinto’s line, you know to expect the best forward from other teams, and a lot of defensive zone starts occur.

final thoughts

It’s clear how much other teams think of the Senators’ defensive game. Opposing coaches and players have often commented on how difficult it is to play against the Senators. His strength is bullet prevention and Shane Pinto is at the forefront in this regard.

It can be difficult to value defensive play. Goaltending, linemates, and the situations that coaches put players in play a factor in the advanced metrics that people point to for defensive value. This is where the old eye test becomes so valuable. Watching the Senators, it’s clear how much Pinto means to the team. 20+ goals and 40+ points are nice, but it’s his defensive game that shines most.

Inevitably, awards voting is often narrative based. Groupthink is also often involved. In Selke’s case, it seems a player has to build up a few years before he can be seriously considered for the award. Well, why not start the buildup to Shane Pinto now? He is as valuable a defensive forward as there is in the entire NHL. It’s time for people to realize how worthy he is of Selke Trophy votes.

Danny was born and raised in Ottawa and still lives in that city. He has followed… more about Danny McCloskey

Arsenal may be heading towards the Premier League title, but decisions are already being made in the background – and the Fabio Vieira situation is getting closer to a resolution.

The Portuguese midfielder has spent the season on loan at Hamburger SV, away from the limelight in North London. However, his campaign in Germany has steadily gained momentum. What started with conditioning issues has turned into one of the most productive periods of his senior career.

Vieira has been used in attacking midfield roles and in wide areas, providing creativity and final-third quality. He now has five goals and four assists in the Bundesliga, and is also one of Hamburg’s most consistent chance givers.

That output has changed the perception around him over the course of the season. Earlier doubts have given way to a feeling that he can make a real impact at this level.

three months ago, We covered Germany’s claims Hamburg were already concerned that the Arsenal player wanted to move.

Since then, his role has evolved. The story highlighted his improvement not only in his output, but also in his presence within the team.

The Portuguese midfielder has been finding form in Hamburg and has become ‘more communicative’ within the dressing room in recent months.

This all naturally turns into one big question – what’s next?

Talks now expected as Hamburg pushes for deal

according to Hamburger AbendblattFabio Vieira is now considered a “special case” internally as Hamburg plans its squad for next season.

While many loan players may return to their parent clubs, their situation is different. Both the player and Hamburg are keen to continue working together, which puts Arsenal in a stronger position.

The main issue remains financial. Vieira’s loan includes a €20m (£17.3m) purchase option, which Hamburg considers unrealistic. As a result, talks are now being held with Arsenal in an attempt to negotiate a lower fee.

This is not a new development, but the next step in an ongoing process.

earlier this month, We covered BILD claims Regarding Hamburg’s intentions to ask Arsenal for a waiver on a permanent deal. They have the option to buy the midfielder for €20m, which is too much for them.

While Hamburg are confident about the player, they need a low fee to make a move. That situation continues to persist, and negotiations now appear inevitable.

One earlier report HSV were said to be planning talks with Arsenal over the midfielder. All indications are that Vieira will not be at the Emirates next season.

There is also a deadline in mind. BILD reported that Hamburg are expected to hold talks with Arsenal in April or May over his future after this season.

Arsenal maintain control as decision nears

to the arsenal, The situation is relatively clear. Vieira has struggled to gain a consistent role under Mikel Arteta, and this is now his second loan stint at the club. Also, his performance in Germany has restored some of his value.

The Gunners set a €20m (£17.3m) clause with that scenario in mind. Arsenal insisted on its inclusion. And because the deal was struck late, HSV did not have time for lengthy negotiations.

Now, that figure serves as a starting point for discussion. Vieira himself has not reached any conclusions.

“Everyone knows I still have a contract with Arsenal. So let’s wait until the end of the season. Then we’ll talk about it and see what we can do”, he said last week.

Hamburg wants to keep him. Arsenal want the right deal. And with potential interest from elsewhere always a risk, the coming weeks look crucial.

This situation has been going on for months. Now we are finally moving towards concrete talks.

🇩🇪 Exclusive: Castello Lukeba ‼️

➡️The formula confirms this @Kaus_Pandey17 There is interest from Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United
➕ Defender tempted to move to Premier League
➡️ Summer decision will depend on the proposed projecthttps://t.co/2VZ2ljcDv7 #afc #lfc #afc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 25 March 2026

On Monday evening, the San Antonio Spurs continued their winning ways with a blowout win over the Miami Heat. It was another strong game for superstar Victor Vembanyama, who scored 26 points with 15 rebounds and five blocks on an efficient shooting night from the field.

Many have predicted that Wembanyama will be the front-runner to win this year’s NBA MVP award, and most recently, ESPN NBA insider Stephen A. Smith explains why he now sees the Spurs star as the favourite.

“He changed my mind. I’d put him in the lead… He’s right when he says (defense) doesn’t get mentioned enough when we talk about league MVPs. It’s a very smart thing on his part. But it doesn’t do it for me either… The second-place team, which hasn’t been relegated in years, has a star in Victor Wambayama before the playoffs even started… And he looked into the microphone and said, ‘We dominate. They’ve been defending champions since we’ve seen them this year,” Smith said, according to First Take on X, formerly Twitter.

In fact, the Spurs have dominated the Oklahoma City Thunder in their encounters this season, winning four out of the five matches played between the two teams. Many speculate that this could be the Western Conference Finals matchup in a few months, as the two teams are one and two in the conference, and it is highly likely to end as the season ends.

Meanwhile, Wembanyama remains the best defensive player in the NBA by a wide margin while continuing to expand his offensive game, which could earn him some votes in the MVP discussion.

The Spurs next take the field on Wednesday evening for a road game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

As the Los Angeles Lakers continue their lead late in the season, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith has outlined a compelling case for Luka Doncic as a legitimate MVP contender.

The Stephen A. Speaking on The Smith Show, Smith pointed to Doncic’s historic production during the Lakers’ current eight-game winning streak, highlighting both his scoring consistency and overall impact.

“Do you know that Luka Doncic is averaging 40.9 points and 7.4 assists? Do you know what he has done in this eight-game span, which no Lakers player in history has ever done? Not Shaquille O’Neal, not Kobe Bryant, not Magic Johnson. No one… Luka has 100 points in his last two games. In each game of this eight-game winning streak, he has scored at least 30. Not so Whether he scores 50 one day and 20 the next day, no, he is consistently scoring 30-plus in every single game.”

Doncic’s recent performances include one of his most impressive performances of the season. In the win over the Miami Heat, he scored 60 points while adding seven rebounds, five steals and three assists while shooting efficiently from the field and beyond the arc. The outing underlined his ability to take over games while maintaining efficiency.

On the Lakers’ eight-game winning streak, Doncic is averaging 40.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 2.4 steals per game, while shooting 50.2 percent from the field, 42.2 percent from three-point range and 78 percent from the free-throw line in 37.5 minutes per contest.

Smith also emphasized Doncic’s season-long production and where he ranks among the league’s top performers.

“Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers are hitting 38.5% of their three-pointers since the trade deadline. Luka leads the league in scoring with 33.4, he’s third in assists. Ladies and gentlemen, he’s a league MVP candidate. I’ll say it again, Luka Doncic is a league MVP candidate. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaylen Brown, Victor Wembayama and Luka “Doncic tops four candidates for league MVP.”

“Luka Doncic averaged 40.9 points and 7.4 assists… What he’s done in this 8-game span is something no Laker in history has ever done. Not Shaquille O’Neal, not Kobe Bryant, not Magic Johnson. No one… He’s a league MVP candidate.”

-Stephen A. Smith 🙌pic.twitter.com/CH6gldgfBJ

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 21 March 2026

Stephen A. Smith pushes Luka Doncic’s MVP case despite Lakers’ early inconsistency

Through 58 games this season, the 27-year-old has averaged 33.4 points, 8.4 assists, 7.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game, while shooting 47.7 percent from the field, 37 percent from three-point range and 77.2 percent from the free-throw line.

Smith acknowledged that Doncic’s MVP chances may be affected by the Lakers’ past inconsistency, but said his current level of play is difficult to ignore.

“The possibility that he won’t win it because the Lakers have played .500 basketball for 40 games this year, I get that. But what we’re seeing from them is unheard of. And the guy looks slow as a snail out there. That’s the thing that bothers me. Nikola Jokic can’t jump over a curb for Denver and no one can stop him. Luka Doncic looks like he’s moving in slow motion most of the time and No one can stop him. And when all three of them were clicking… he was insecure in front of all three of them, what are all three of them making of him?

He concluded by outlining the widespread impact of Doncic’s play on the Western Conference’s outlook.

“It’s some special things we’re looking at. And as a result, we have to look at the Western Conference a little differently and ask ourselves, can the Lakers be written off as a real threat in the Western Conference? Oklahoma City would probably say yes. San Antonio with Victor Vembanayama would probably say yes. I don’t know if we can do that … not with Luka on a roll like this.”

The Lakers (45-25) will try to extend their winning streak to nine games when they visit the Orlando Magic (38-31) on Saturday at 4:00 pm PT on NBA TV.

The Detroit Pistons’ terrible losing streak has finally ended. After losing four consecutive games, Detroit got back on its winning streak with a 138–100 loss against the Brooklyn Nets.

The Pistons returned to their winning identity, marked by the impressive performance of their All-Star center, Jalen Duren. The fourth-year big man gave the Nets all he could handle, scoring 26 points on 9-10 shooting from the field. Duren also had a solid bounce-back game defensively, adding two steals and two blocks to her stat line.

Duren’s big night is fueling some big encouragement from his team into the Most Improved Player conversation. Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham gave him big support during a postgame conversation with the media after the win against the Nets.

“I think the proof is in the pudding. As far as the leaps he’s made, how much teams respect him this year compared to last year. I believe their game plan is different. I think he’s making leaps in a lot of different ways,” Cunningham explained via Coty M. Davis. “This group, we don’t really like to talk about it. We just like to go out and try to show it. If my words mean anything, I think it’s obvious.”

Duren has the current lead as the betting favorite for the award on FanDuel. He currently averages a career-high 18.6 points per game, an increase of nearly seven points from last season.

Detroit’s star center has also been a monster on the glass, ranking in the top ten in rebounds with 10.6 per game. This has helped him make 31 double-doubles this regular season. He is also showing significant growth defensively, individually and as a team defender. Duren is posting the best defensive rating of his career at 107.2. This rating has been a major reason behind the Pistons’ current position as the second-highest rated defense in the NBA.

What did JB Bickerstaff say about Jalen Duren?

This successful campaign helped Duran earn his first selection as an NBA All-Star. His growth has also been a major catalyst behind Detroit’s rise as the No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference. Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff also took time to advocate for Duren’s candidacy for the Most Improved Player award after his game against Brooklyn.

Bickerstaff told the media, “I think it’s easy if you watch us play and if you watch us play consistently over the last year and a half or two years. The steps he’s taken from the beginning of last year to this year have made him an All-Star and a dominant force on both ends of the floor.” “You have to recognize a guy who works so hard and give him credit for the work he did over the summer to get better and understand what he wants to do this year. And I’ll say it again, his stats are not hollow. His stats impact winning, too.”

With only 18 regular season games left, Duren could end up being in the conversation for the award with a strong finish to the season. Rising stars like Jalen Johnson, Keyontae George, Ryan Rollins and others are making a push but the consistency of Duren and the Pistons gives them a respectable edge at this point.

All-NBA conversations typically belong to well-established suspects, brand-name stars who have captured the discussion for the better part of two decades, even if those All-Stars are having a bad year. LeBron James and James Harden still remain at that level of talent. However, James Borrego’s new-look New Orleans Pelicans need to make a run for Trey Murphy III to join the club. The 25-year-old has been quietly building a statistical argument that rivals and surpasses the usual suspects in many areas.

This is not an exaggeration. This year’s figures show that it is time to make room for the Trigga tray. Designated stars with all-world resumes can act as one-man shows, shooting lights out and protecting the ball. Murphy III’s production, 22.6% of his field goals are unassisted, is going well. The swingman is shooting 38.6% from three-point range, sporting a 59.8 true shooting percentage, and can boast a 2.53 assist-to-turnover ratio on a 25.4% usage rate since New Year’s Day.

On the season, Murphy III is contributing 21.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.8 steals. In 2026, he is averaging 24.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.9 steals. Only 12 other players can say they are 22-5-4 over the last eight weeks. Luka Doncic, Kevin Durant and Cade Cunningham top that list. Exactly 22 players have averaged 21 points and 3.5 assists, making teammates better, and have played more than 45 games this season, further breaking down the All-NBA list.

The Pelicans have nothing to lose by gushing about Trey Murphy III’s speed during March Madness. If Trigga Trey is named to the All-NBA Third Team, his next contract and the city’s reputation will get a significant boost. If not, the Pelicans have four potential All-Stars returning next season with something to prove in Murphy III, Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray and surprisingly great Saddiq Bey.

More than a few coaches will be calling the front office wanting to work with that core. Each of them will have to explain how they will maximize Trey Murphy III’s prime years. His All-Star potential eventually developed into All-NBA expectations.

Nobody handed Lewis Hamilton a reset button. He had to earn it. After publicly enduring one of the toughest seasons for any F1 veteran, where he finished 2025 without a single podium for the first time in 19 seasons, the seven-time world champion arrives in Melbourne for this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix looking, by all accounts, like a man who went somewhere quiet, sat with failure, and came out the other side with a sharp edge.

The question is not whether Hamilton is still in F1. This has been decided from his career record. The question is whether everything around him – the new car, the new rules, his own adjusted mindset – is going the way it should.

read mine? it happens. And Ferrari, for the first time since that disastrous SF-25 campaign, looks like it might actually be worthy of that.

Lewis Hamilton helped build Ferrari’s new car and it matters

The SF-26 really surprised people during Bahrain testing, and not in the way Paddock expected to surprise. Before the wheels even turned in pre-season, the talk was about whether these new generation cars would be embarrassingly slow. It was a concern that was rooted in what happened in 2014, the last time F1 made a massive change to its power units, when only Mercedes got it right and the field spent several months floundering.

This time it did not happen. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur put it clearly to Motorsport Italy.

“People were saying we would be close to F2, yet we are only two or three seconds away from the 2025 timing, and the temperatures were very low during the Bahrain tests last year,” he said last month. “The most important thing is strong competition: when there is a tough battle between two or more teams, I don’t think it matters much to be one or two seconds slower than last season. What matters is to be one-tenth of a second faster than all rivals.”

This is the correct philosophy. And Ferrari backed it up with genuine innovation. The talk of the second testing week in Bahrain was about the Scuderia’s rear wing design that flips 180 degrees to reduce drag, and a new aerodynamic solution called FTM that exploits exhaust gases to aid energy recovery. This is not a team based on history. Maranello is aggressively pushing the technical limits in the new regulatory era, and this means a lot for the development race that will define who wins the race in the second half of 2026.

Now peel back the layers of what has changed for Hamilton personally. Outgoing ground-effect cars – where engineers hid performance in complex aerodynamic channels running beneath the car – never found favor with him. He himself said it repeatedly, not as an excuse but as an honest technical assessment from a driver with 20 years of experience of what is required for a good racing car. 2026 cars are smaller, lighter and more mechanically responsive. They require active management of power deployment and energy recovery that rewards the driver who thinks deeply about each input on the lap. This description fits Hamilton perfectly.

‘Happy Lewis is a fast Lewis’

Now that the car seems to be moving in the right direction and Hamilton has reset his mind and is feeling positive, the game has changed. It appears that the harmony and happiness he has found means everything and this is a big problem for the rest of the region.

Martin Brundle on Sky Sports F1 said, “Not only in Ferrari, but Lewis has always been a pleasure to be fast.” “And I have to say that Ferrari have been quite innovative over the winter, so I’m confident that Lewis will have a better year.”

Happy and fast. This is the formula. And something has clearly changed. When Ferrari unveiled the SF-26, Hamilton described the moment to journalists, translated via Corriere Della Sera, as “feeling as happy as a child.” He is not a professional speedster. He is the person who looks at the car and recognizes the potential.

F1 broadcaster Will Buxton made it clear during a recent radio appearance that he believes Hamilton can return to form in 2021.

Buxton said, “The Ferrari looks really good, like really good, and Lewis was just waiting for this regulation change to get him back to where he was in 2021, with a car he loved.”

But it’s the self-examination that’s honestly more impactful than the racing. Reflecting on 2025 in his own words, he shows us why he is one of the greatest players ever to grace the grid.

“You have to look inward and observe the people around you, from your coworkers to your family, stay motivated and ask yourself uncomfortable questions. ‘Am I doing enough? Can I be better? Can I be kinder? How should I change my ways?’ Hamilton said.

And then on Saturday morning, before this new season started, they posted their announcement. Already 20 seasons in, he simply said: “I’m still here, 20 years later, still standing, still hungry, still focused on the dream. No turning back.”

His teammate, Charles Leclerc, won’t make it easy. Leclerc is truly elite, and his speed in qualifying, in particular, is a different animal than any former teammate Hamilton has dealt with. But that’s the point. This Ferrari lineup is capable of putting two cars out front on the right weekend and the SF-26 looks like the machinery to do it.

Hamilton won the race this year. Leclerc also wins the race. Ferrari, for the first time in what seems like forever, is going to make people nervous. The return is real. It will start on Sunday in Albert Park.

Scott Gulbransen, a quintessential expert in the field of sports journalism, serves as an editor, nfl , mlb , Formula 1 … More about Scott Gulbransen

There is little debate that Victor Wembanyama has become one of the NBA’s top players in his third season. The 23-year-old’s stellar performances have earned the San Antonio Spurs the status of legitimate contenders. Is that enough to make him the league’s youngest-ever MVP?

Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson thinks so.

“He is a great facilitator to help his team win [as anybody]” Johnson said before Thursday’s matchup with the Brooklyn Nets. “The individual stuff that is recognized as the best or most valuable is offense, defense, boards and everything that comes in between. He is at the forefront for [each of] They. And there are other guys in the league who do that, too. I haven’t delved into it, but I definitely think it’s in the conversation. It would be difficult for anyone to make a logical argument as to why he is not in that conversation.”

Wembanyama’s two-way contributions have led the Spurs to the NBA’s third-best record (42–16).

Victor Wembanyama enters MVP conversation as he leads Spurs ascension

The French phenom is averaging 24.0 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists on .503/.353/.812 shooting splits. Offensively, he is one of six players averaging more than 24 points on 50 percent or better shooting, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant and Austin Reaves.

Meanwhile, Vembanyama continues to wield historic influence defensively. He leads the NBA with 3.9 steals (steals + blocks) per game, and 0.8 ahead of the next highest player (Scotty Barnes: 3.0). According to CleaningTheGlass, the Spurs allow 10.6 fewer points per 100 possessions on the court versus off, which is the NBA’s second-largest defensive rating swing, behind only Rudy Gobert (-12.7).

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Wembanyama currently has the fifth-best MVP odds at +3300, behind Gilgeous-Alexander (-190), Jokic (+300), Cade Cunningham (+1400) and Luka Doncic (+2000). The Spurs star can only miss three more games to maintain his eligibility.

LeBron James expressed strong support for Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown as an NBA MVP candidate after the Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 111-89 on Sunday at Crypto.com Arena.

Brown led the way with 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in 36 minutes. He came close to a triple-double while guiding a Boston team that had been without Jayson Tatum due to a torn Achilles since Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on May 12, 2025.

After the game, James questioned why Brown’s name is not mentioned more often in the MVP conversation. He pointed out that Brown is averaging around 30 points per game and suggested that the MVP discussion can sometimes turn into a popularity contest.

“With this whole MVP thing, I don’t understand why his name isn’t even being discussed,” James said of Brown after Sunday’s game. “Like, nobody gave him a chance to start the season. And what’s his average, 30? Just under 30? It’s a popularity contest sometimes, I’ll tell you.”

Brown later returned the praise while speaking to reporters after the game. He stressed that he was interested in both criticism and praise, although he presented his case for the award in his own way.

“I feel like I’m the best two-way player in the world,” Brown said. “I play on both ends of the court. I’m available night in and night out, which is hard to do. I’m a leader. I help lead my team, empower my team to come out and play with confidence, things that don’t always show up on analytics. And I’m a winner. I come out and try to win every night. So I’m grateful.”

to jaylen brown @ramonashelburne LeBron talks about James Brown’s MVP case after the Celtics’ win over the Lakers:

“Just come with the same mentality I’ve had since day one. Don’t let the praise or warmth or criticism make or break you. Just come out and be Jaylen… pic.twitter.com/bCN0IofO70

– Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) 23 February 2026

He called it an honor to receive recognition from James, whom he described as arguably the best player of all time. Brown, who won Finals MVP in 2024 after averaging 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game, said he feels grateful every day.

“It’s an honor to play in the Celtics-Lakers rivalry. It’s an honor to have LeBron, who is arguably the best player to play the game, give me a lot of praise. So, I’m just grateful. I wake up every morning and am grateful (and) humbled.”

Even without Tatum and after trading Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis in the offseason, Boston is 37-19 and in second place in the East. What many thought would be a reset has turned into a serious race for the conference crown.

Brown is a big reason for that. He ranks fourth in the NBA with 29.2 points per game, while he has career averages of 7.0 rebounds and 4.9 assists. Brown is fourth in the league in scoring this season.

Meanwhile, the last two MVP winners, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, have largely controlled the MVP conversation.

There are plenty of games left, and the MVP race is almost certain. The door isn’t locked, but Brown still has ground to cover if he wants to kick it open.

As Indiana Fever star Kaitlin Clark’s popularity rivals that of the NBA to some extent, sports analyst Nick Wright will make an interesting comparison regarding her accessibility to the mainstream compared to some stars from other basketball leagues. With Clarke returning from fever injury and aiming to dominate this upcoming season, Wright will be making a claim that many will debate.

Wright’s show “What’s Wright?” In he claimed that Clark is “the most famous basketball player under the age of 35.” While it would be obvious for the WNBA to pay attention to other stars like A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces and several other stars, the notion remains true that Clark has brought a major spotlight to the league.

Looking at the NBA’s most popular stars, Wright would say it remains a duo of 41-year-old LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and 37-year-old Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and Kevin Durant of the Houston Rockets.

“The three most famous basketball players right now are LeBron James, 41, and then Steph, 37, 38, and KD. [Durant]Wright said.

“The most famous basketball player under the age of 35 is Kaitlynn Clark. The 3 most famous basketball players at the moment are LeBron James, 41, and then Steph, 37, 38 [Curry]& [Kevin Durant]”

-Nick Wright 🤔

(via @WhatsWrightShow)pic.twitter.com/alMkBm26Zy

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 18 February 2026

Nick Wright talks about the popularity of Fever’s Caitlin Clarke

While it’s fair to ponder the conversation and crossover with Clark and the NBA, as Wright is doing, there may also be fans who point to certain players under the age of 35 who contradict the analyst’s point.

Names that could be mentioned are Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Luka Doncic of the Lakers, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, and Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs. Wright mentions him saying that none of them “caught up to that level”, although the NBA is hoping Wembanyama can be there someday.

“Anthony Edwards, Luca [Doncic]Jokic, Giannis [Antetokounmpo]They haven’t reached that level, and that’s the main issue the league is facing that they don’t have a solution for right now, and they’re hoping [Wembanyama] Will resolve this,” Wright said.

At any rate, Clark’s popularity is sure to grow every year.