The much-anticipated clash between two rising stars, Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, unfolded in San Antonio, living up to the immense hype surrounding their burgeoning rivalry.
In an electrifying showdown, Wembanyama led the charge for the Spurs, orchestrating a thrilling 132-118 upset over the Thunder. Demonstrating his multifaceted talents, Wembanyama showcased his prowess by contributing across the board, while also delivering crucial plays during the decisive moments of the game.
His two deep 3-pointers in the latter stages of the contest proved pivotal in securing the victory for San Antonio.
As the clock ticked down with San Antonio holding a slim 119-113 lead and just over three minutes remaining, Wembanyama confidently launched a shot from 28 feet out, widening the gap to 122-113 in favor of the Spurs.
Displaying his court vision and unselfish play, Wembanyama then assisted a cutting Devin Vassell, who found himself surrounded by defenders at the free-throw line.
Vassell promptly kicked the ball out to an unguarded Wembanyama beyond the arc, where he calmly drained his second consecutive 3-pointer, extending San Antonio’s lead to 127-118.
These clutch shots by the towering phenom epitomized the late surge by the Spurs, propelling them from a precarious 105-103 deficit to a commanding 14-point triumph over the Western Conference’s second-place team.
Finishing with a stellar stat line of 28 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and five blocks, Wembanyama emerged as the standout performer of the night. His remarkable shooting performance, including a notable 5-of-7 from beyond the arc, underscored his exceptional versatility and impact on the game.
In contrast, Holmgren, though impressive with 23 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and a block, couldn’t match Wembanyama’s proficiency from long range, managing just one successful attempt from beyond the arc on a 1-of-4 shooting night.
Despite showcasing flashes of brilliance, including an early transition 3-pointer over Wembanyama, Holmgren fell short in the battle of the rookie big men.
Supported by a well-rounded team effort, the Spurs secured their 12th victory of the season, improving to 12-48. Vassell delivered a standout performance, mirroring Wembanyama’s 28 points while contributing nine assists and two steals.
Jeremy Sochan added 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Tre Jones tallied 17 points, eight assists, and six rebounds. Notably, all four players showcased their long-range shooting prowess, collectively connecting on 19 of 39 attempts (48.7%) from beyond the arc, contributing to the Spurs’ impressive 52.7% shooting efficiency overall.
On the opposing side, despite impressive individual performances from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led all scorers with 31 points, and Jalen Williams, who added 26 points, the Thunder couldn’t keep pace from long distance, shooting a mere 29% (9-of-31) from beyond the arc. The Thunder slipped to a 41-18 record, trailing the first-place Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference standings.
With the Spurs out of playoff contention, the upcoming April 10 matchup between San Antonio and Oklahoma City marks the final opportunity this season for Holmgren and Wembanyama to renew their captivating rivalry on the court.
