San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama shoots against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals Monday in Oklahoma City. Photo by Gerald Leong/EPA
Victor Wembanyama said losing out on MVP honors fueled his performance in the San Antonio Spurs’ win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.
The Spurs center reeled off 41 points, 24 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and a steal in the 122-115 double overtime victory Monday in Oklahoma City. He personally outscored the Thunder 9-7 in the second overtime.
“It feels like I’ve still got a lot to learn,” Wembanyama told reporters, when asked about finishing third for MVP honors. “I want to get that trophy many times in my career.”
Wembanyama made 14 of 25 shots. His lone 3-pointer came with 27 seconds remaining in the first overtime. The 28-footer tied the score at 108-108, triggering a second bonus period. Wembanyama also was a force on the glass, pulling down nine offensive rebounds.
With his performance, he became the youngest player (22 and 134 days) to record at least 40 points and 20 rebounds in a playoff game. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (22, 343) held the previous mark from the 1970 NBA Finals.
“His level of physicality and execution through physicality was tremendous,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said of Wembanyama. “His rebounding obviously showed in the box score, but what was off the charts was defensively. He was in his stance almost all night.
“That’s 49 big minutes, and it was high level for the majority of those.”
The Spurs outshot the Thunder 42.7% to 40.6%. They held advantages of 61-40 in rebounding and 52-38 in points in the paint. The Thunder edged the Spurs 50-16 in bench points and 28-17 in points off turnovers. The game featured 10 lead changes.
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who received his second consecutive MVP Award just before tip off, totaled 24 points, 12 assists, five steals and three rebounds.
Wembanyama said that watching the pre-game MVP Award ceremony felt “personal.”
“I have to be better, especially against a team of this caliber,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Nothing more than that.”
Dylan Harper totaled 24 points, 11 rebounds, seven steals and six assists in the victory. Fellow Spurs guard Stephon Castle chipped in 17 points, 11 assists and six rebounds.
Thunder guard Alex Caruso scored 31 points off the bench. Forward Jalen Williams totaled 26 points in the loss.
The Thunder (0-1) will host the Spurs (1-0) in Game 2 of the best-of-seven game series at 8:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday in Oklahoma City. Game 3 will be Friday in San Antonio.
