The Oklahoma City Thunder entered the Western Conference Finals undefeated in the playoffs, sweeping the first two rounds without losing a single game. But then they met Victor Wembanyama, and everything changed.
In an overtime thriller at the Paycom Center, the San Antonio Spurs won 122-115 over the Thunder to grab a 1-0 lead. The game went into double overtime and, by the time it was finished, Wembanyama had done what no other player his age had ever done in a playoff game.
Victor Wembanyama’s 40-Point 20-Rebound Game Makes NBA Playoff History
GettyVictor Wembanyama Delivers Legendary 41-Point Performance to Shock Thunder in Game 1
According to ESPN Research, at just 22 years and 134 days old, Wembanyama became the youngest player in NBA history to post 40 points and 20 rebounds in a playoff game, passing Lew Alcindor better known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was 22 years and 352 days when he did it. He also became just the seventh player ever to record a 40-20 in a Conference Finals or later.
Wembanyama played 49 minutes, the most of his career, and finished with 41 points, 24 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks. He shot 14-of-25 from the field and 12-of-13 from the free throw line. For most of the night, San Antonio controlled the game, outrebounding OKC 61-40 and scoring 52 points in the paint to Oklahoma City’s 38.
The decisive moment happened during the last minute of the first overtime. The Thunder had made it a three-point game through a 7-0 rally, and San Antonio really needed a score. Wembanyama stopped at around 27 feet, near the center logo, and hit a three-pointer to level the game at 108 with 26.3 seconds remaining. The shot reminded one of the legendary Stephen Curry’s three-pointer on that very court in 2016.
After heading to a second overtime still at 108, Wembanyama took over completely. He opened the period with a dunk, kept OKC at arm’s length, and iced it with an and-1 slam over Chet Holmgren in the final minute.
Spurs Rookie Dylan Harper and the Supporting Cast Step Up Big
GettyVictor Wembanyama Joins Elite NBA Company After Historic Game 1 vs Thunder
Wembanyama wasn’t the only one. Rookie Dylan Harper, who came off the bench, looked amazing and scored 24 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, dished out 6 assists, and got 7 steals whilst ending up a plus-14. He went at the basket constantly throughout the game, getting fouled and scoring the tough way in those crucial moments.
Stephon Castle made a significant contribution with 17 points along with 11 assists, whereas Keldon Johnson scored 13 points coming off the bench.
Conversely, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was off his game and only managed to score 24 points on 7-of-23 shooting. Alex Caruso scored 31 points for the Thunder with eight three-pointers, and Jalen Williams made 26.
Teams winning a Game 1 in the Conference Finals actually go on to win the entire series 78.2 percent of times. San Antonio holds that advantage now, a 22-year-old has just broken a record that had been standing for more than 50 years, and the Thunder have come across a great dilemma at the moment of going into Game 2.
Victor Wembanyama Breaks 55-Year NBA Record in Game 1 of Spurs Vs Thunder