Victor Wembanyama’s 41 points, 24 rebounds lift Spurs over Thunder in double-OT Game 1
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OKLAHOMA CITY — Victor Wembanyama delivered a historic 41-point, 24-rebound performance Monday night to drive the San Antonio Spurs past the Oklahoma City Thunder, 122-115, in double overtime and seize a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.
The 22-year-old rookie became the youngest player in NBA playoff history (22 years, 134 days) to record at least 40 points and 20 rebounds, and the first since Wilt Chamberlain in 1960 to post such numbers in a conference finals debut. Wembanyama is also just the second Spur to produce a 40-20 playoff game, joining Hall of Famer David Robinson (1996).
The game opened with Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander receiving his second Most Valuable Player trophy at Paycom Center. Minutes later, Wembanyama responded on the floor, logging 49 minutes, shooting 16-for-31 and adding four blocks and three assists. Nine of his points came in the second overtime, where he went 3-for-3 from the field, grabbed four rebounds and rejected Jalen Williams’ late drive to seal the win.
San Antonio trailed 111-108 with 27 seconds left in the first overtime when rookie guard Stephon Castle zipped a pass to Wembanyama, who drilled a 28-footer from just beyond half court to extend the contest. In the second extra period, the 7-foot-4 forward slammed home an and-1 dunk off a Dylan Harper feed with 1:01 remaining, hit the free throw for a 117-114 edge, and finished a lob from Castle with 22 seconds to go.
“We’re ready to play anywhere against anyone,” Wembanyama said afterward. “Tonight we were relentless.”
Head coach Mitch Johnson praised his star’s “tremendous” physicality and focus, noting that Wembanyama “was in his stance almost all night.” Spurs CEO R.C. Buford passed the barefoot rookie in the locker room postgame, exclaiming, “Unbelievable, man!” as Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” blared from Keldon Johnson’s speaker.
Harper, starting in place of injured veteran De’Aaron Fox, contributed 24 points, 11 rebounds and seven steals. According to ESPN Research, the 20-year-old’s steal total is the second-highest by a rookie in a playoff game since the statistic became official in 1973-74, trailing only Maurice Cheeks’ eight in 1979.
The victory improved San Antonio to 5-1 against Oklahoma City this season. The Spurs became the fifth team in league history to win five of their first six games against the club that owned the NBA’s best regular-season record; each of the previous four went on to capture the playoff series.
Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday night in Oklahoma City.
Source: ESPN
