Victor Wembanyama entered the records books with his monster 41-point, 24-rebound performance in Game 1. The Spurs will look for a 2-0 series lead on Wednesday.
SAN ANTONIO — The sports world was still buzzing a day after the epic, double-OT battle between the Spurs and Thunder to start the Western Conference Finals–a game that began with an MVP trophy for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and ended with Victor Wembanyama submitting another historic playoff statement.
Wembanyama finished with 41 points and 24 rebounds in the Spurs’ 112-115 victory Monday night, making him the youngest player ever with 40 points and 20 boards in a playoff game. He also joined Hall of Famer David Robinson as the only Spurs players with those numbers in a playoff matchup.
The cherry on top: a 3-pointer from the logo to tie the game late in regulation, with Wembanyama making the shot feel as effortless as casual as could be considering the stakes.
“The game is changing in front of our eyes, and I think we probably don’t acknowledge it until a few years later,” Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said Tuesday when asked about the things Wemby and Thunder center Chet Holmgren are doing on the court. “I think those guys are probably at the forefront of the evolution of the game.”
Now the stakes all of a sudden are higher for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who were carried by one of the best performances of Alex Caruso’s career; the 32-year-old guard scored 31 points off the bench and sank a whopping eight of his 14 3-pointers.
Just two others reached double-figures for the Thunder, compared to six Spurs players who had at least 10 points in the San Antonio win. A huge plus-21 advantage on rebounds played a large role in the Spurs’ success against the defending champions in Game 1.
It remains to be seen if De’Aaron Fox will return after missing Game 1 due to ankle soreness. Rookie Dylan Harper, starting in his place, notched a 24-point, 11-rebound double-double.
“Between games he’ll do everything he can, which is mostly rest and then get treatment to prepare for the next game,” Johnson said. “And tomorrow, pregame, we’ll find out if he can (play).”
With just one full day separating each game in this best-of-seven series, it isn’t out of the question that how the San Antonio and Oklahoma City starters rest Tuesday will play a factor when Game 2 tips Wednesday night. Five Spurs players played at least 40 minutes, led by Devin Vassell’s 51.
“Trying to get as much recovery as we can, because we know tomorrow will be just as crazy a game,” Vassell said Tuesday. “I think that’s probably the most intense game I’ve been a part of and probably the most minutes I’ve ever played, for sure.”
Asked about the message the Spurs were looking to send in Game 1 against an Oklahoma City team that hadn’t lost all postseason, however, the 25-year-old starters didn’t hesitate.
“We’re here. There is no future, there is no looking past what we have. We’re here right now, we’re ready to compete right now.”
Here’s what else to know ahead of Game 2 tipping off Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. CT.
How to watch
The game will be televised on NBC and streamed on Peacock. You can also listen to game action on WOAI 1200 and KXTN 1350.
Team stats leaders (playoffs)
- POINTS: Victor Wembanyama (22.2), Stephon Castle (19.7), De’Aaron Fox* (18.8)
- REBOUNDS: Wembanyama (11.9), Julian Champagnie (5.8), Dylan Harper (5.6)
- ASSISTS: Castle (6.5), Fox* (5.8), Devin Vassell (2.8)
- BLOCKS: Wembanyama (4.0), Luke Kornet (1.1), Devin Vassell (0.9)
- POINTS: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (28.6), Jalen Williams (22.3 in three games), Chet Holmgren (17.4)
- REBOUNDS: Holmgren (9.0), Isaiah Hartenstein (8.0), Williams (5.0)
- ASSISTS: Gilgeous-Alexander (7.7), Mitchell (4.9), Williams (4.3)
- BLOCKS: Holmgren (1.8), Hartenstein (1.0), Gilgeous-Alexander (0.9)
Injury report
As of 10 p.m. Tuesday, here’s where the team’s respective injury reports stack up:
- De’Aaron Fox – Questionable (ankle sprain)
- Thomas Sorber – Out (ACL)