Wembanyama Drops 41 and 24 to Lift Spurs in 122-115 2OT Win as SGA Claims MVP
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 19
Wembanyama Drops 41 and 24 to Lift Spurs in 122-115 2OT Win as SGA Claims MVP
33 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 19
Victor Wembanyama answered Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP ceremony with 41 points, 24 rebounds and a late game-tying 3, pushing San Antonio past Oklahoma City 122-115 in double overtime in West finals Game 1.
That surge carried extra edge because Wembanyama and the Spurs believed the 22-year-old had a real MVP case; teammates and coach said seeing SGA receive the trophy was personal and motivational.
The performance made Wembanyama the youngest player to post a 40-point, 20-rebound playoff game and only the seventh to do it in a conference finals or later, joining a list of all-time great big men.
For San Antonio, the win stole home-court advantage in one of the postseason’s rare double-overtime openers and reinforced Wembanyama’s broader message that the Spurs are ready to win in any environment.
Will the Spurs’ 4-1 regular season dominance matter more than the Thunder’s championship experience?
Will two-time MVP SGA cement his legacy, or is this the start of the Wembanyama era?
Thunder vs. Spurs: Inside the 2026 Western Conference Finals—Key Matchups, Expert Predictions, and Franchise Legacies
Overview
The 2026 Western Conference Finals will feature an exciting matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs. The Thunder have shown dominance by sweeping both the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers in the earlier playoff rounds, while the Spurs have fought hard to reach this stage. A key focus of the series is the Spurs’ defensive strategy, as they have previously challenged Oklahoma City’s perimeter players to make jump shots during their regular-season meetings. This sets up a strategic battle, with both teams aiming to leverage their strengths and overcome each other’s tactics for a spot in the NBA Finals.