NBA Notes: Spurs, Victor Wembanyama, Mavericks, Naji Marshall, Pelicans

Spurs

Spurs center Victor Wembanyama isn’t just coming. He’s here.

The MVP race has mostly been framed around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic. Fair enough. But as Sam Amick of The Athletic noted, Wembanyama is making a real push for that top tier.

The numbers back it up. San Antonio is plus-16 when he’s on the floor. Even when he sits? Dead even. That gap tells the story. Impact on both ends.

And that’s the separator. SGA can score with anyone. Wembanyama changes everything defensively. Likely Defensive Player of the Year. Maybe more.

There’s also this: The Spurs are within striking distance of the top seed. Not expected. But not impossible.

Mavericks

Mavericks forward Naji Marshall stayed and nights like Monday explain why.

Marshall went for 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists without a turnover in New Orleans, as noted by The Dallas Morning News. Efficient. Controlled. Complete.

“I appreciate everything about Naji,” Cooper Flagg said. “He’s just such a good basketball player.”

Dallas hasn’t had the season it wanted. But Marshall, Flagg and Max Christie have given them something to build on.

Pelicans

Yves Missi is making sure New Orleans didn’t second-guess anything.

He was a name to watch at the deadline. Instead, the Pelicans held on. Now he’s rewarding that decision. Ten rebounds. Five blocks. Five assists in a win over Dallas. Activity everywhere.

“We’re using him a number of ways defensively,” coach James Borrego said, via Rod Walker of NOLA.com. “He’s made tremendous strides.”

That’s the kind of growth you keep.