On Wednesday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder secured a 140-114 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, a result that unfolded as anticipated.
However, the focal point was the showdown between Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren.
Wemby delivered another outstanding performance, tallying 24 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks, despite ending up on the losing side.
Holmgren showcased his prowess as well, contributing 17 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three blocks. Nonetheless, it was primarily the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander show for the Thunder, with an impressive 32 points, 10 assists, and six boards.
Wemby flashes and extends for the one-hand jam!#NBARivalsWeek
Spurs-Thunder | Live on ESPN pic.twitter.com/KNpQzB4ynV— NBA (@NBA) January 25, 2024
The initial meeting between Wemby and Holmgren was underwhelming, but this time, it lived up to the hype, especially as the duo intensively challenged each other in the fourth quarter.
❌ WEMBY REJECTION ❌
3 BLKS for the rookie tonight! pic.twitter.com/BFZXQkWXyS
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 25, 2024
NBA fans and pundits alike reveled in the engaging back-and-forth battle:
– Rob Perez highlighted it as one of the best stretches of the season, emphasizing the intense competition between Chet and Wemby.
– Jeff McDonald observed the clear intention of Chet and Vic going after each other.
– Brandon Rahbar noted the official breakout of the Chet vs. Wemby showdown in the fourth quarter, describing it as the most entertaining part of the game.
– Various commentators and fans expressed their excitement, suggesting that the competitive display between Wemby and Chet could be a potential All-Star Saturday event.
Force on the floor @OGandE Power Play of the Game pic.twitter.com/B7VCJww8TL
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 25, 2024
As the comparison between Wemby and Holmgren is inevitable throughout their careers, the article pointed out the current state of their teams. The Thunder, boasting a 31-13 record, are already a legitimate playoff contender with a promising young roster.
In contrast, the struggling 8-36 Spurs are in the early stages of a rebuild, finding solace in the budding superstar Wembanyama.
The article concluded by highlighting the ongoing Rookie of the Year battle, where Wemby appears to be the frontrunner, closely followed by Holmgren. Additionally, it reminded NBA fans that these teams will face each other two more times this season, with the Wemby vs. Holmgren matchup serving as the main attraction.
