Wembanyama dominates on MVP Shai’s home floor: “I want to win that award”
At just 22 years old, Victor Wembanyama becomes the youngest player ever to record a 40/20 game in the NBA playoffs as the Spurs steal home-court advantage from the Thunder
Some players reach the Conference Finals to gain experience. Then there’s Victor Wembanyama, who gets there to dominate.
On Monday night, the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 122-115 in an instant classic that stretched into double overtime, taking a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals.
Wembanyama makes history
These are numbers not seen since Kareem: 41 points and 24 rebounds for “Wemby,” who at just 22 years and 134 days old became the youngest player in NBA history to record a 40-point, 20-rebound playoff game. The previous record belonged to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who accomplished it during the 1970 Finals at 22 years and 343 days old.
This wasn’t a case of slowly piling up stats either. Wembanyama already had 14 points and 10 rebounds by halftime, physically and athletically overwhelming anyone in front of him – dunking over multiple defenders, flexing confidently, looking like he’d belonged on that stage forever.
It was a great effort from everybody
Victor Wembanyama
The French superstar became even more dominant in the biggest moments: 16 points in clutch situations while shooting 67% from the field, directly contributing to 18 of the Spurs’ 31 points over the final 15 minutes of the game. Then, in double overtime, he delivered the knockout punch with two straight dunks in the final minute, one of them completed as a three-point play.
But the signature moment of the night? A deep three-pointer with 28 seconds left in the first overtime – out of nowhere, the kind of shot only he seems capable of taking – tying the game and forcing a second overtime period.
After the game, Wembanyama was asked about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP ceremony, and his answer was as straightforward as it was telling:
I feel like I still have a lot to learn… I want to win that trophy, and I want to win it many times throughout my career
Victor Wembanyama
Harper joins legendary company
Alongside the French phenom, Dylan Harper also made headlines. The Spurs rookie finished with 24 points, 7 steals – a franchise playoff record – and delivered an all-around performance worthy of a veteran. His stat line places him alongside Magic Johnson as the only two rookies in NBA playoff history to record at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and five steals in the same game.
A game that belongs in the history books
Monday’s matchup became only the sixth Game 1 in NBA playoff history to reach double overtime, and the first since 2013 (Spurs vs. Warriors).
Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson summed it up perfectly:
It was a battle of will. The level of mental toughness both teams showed… we needed every second and every player
Mitch Johnson
Now all the pressure shifts to OKC. Game 2 will again be played on the Thunder’s home floor, and after a loss like this, an immediate response becomes essential.
The Spurs, meanwhile, have already sent a very clear message.