Victor Wembanyama signed another monumental performance and led the San Antonio Spurs’ 103-82 victory over the champion Oklahoma City Thunder this Sunday to tie the Western Conference final at 2-2.
The French prodigy, chosen hours before for the first time in the best quintet of the NBA season, celebrated the recognition with a recital of 33 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks in just 31 minutes on the court.
Wembanyama shot 50% (11 of 22 from the field) and lit up the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio with three decisive triples that consolidated Texan dominance.
“We are not surprised, we did what we had to do,” Wembanyama told NBC after the match. “We watched a lot of video in the last 48 hours and that was very important.”
Wembanyama dominates both sides of the court
The defensive influence of the 2.24 meter French giant was once again decisive for the Spurs who are playing in their first conference final since 2017.
San Antonio managed to limit Oklahoma City to just 82 points, one of the Thunder’s worst offensive productions in recent seasons.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, double NBA MVP and also a member of the best quintet of the year, was controlled by the Texan defense and finished with only 19 points.
The Thunder especially suffered from the perimeter, making only six of their 33 three-point attempts.
“We were at a disadvantage for the first time in these playoffs and we simply responded,” said Wembanyama.
“It hasn’t been anything extraordinary. It hasn’t been magic. We’ve simply done what we had to do. The series is still far from over. We have six more wins left before we can rest,” added the French star.
De’Aaron Fox returns and the Spurs respond
Another important factor for San Antonio was the return of De’Aaron Fox, recovered from his ankle injury.
The point guard contributed a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds, in addition to giving greater offensive fluidity to the Spurs who dominated practically from start to finish.
“We won 60 games in the regular season because we have a team with a lot of options,” Fox said. “We just go out and look for the best pitches.”
The Spurs led by up to 25 points in the third quarter and never allowed a serious reaction from the defending champion.
The series returns to Oklahoma City
With the tie tied 2-2, Game 5 will be played this Tuesday at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, where the Thunder will look to regain home-field advantage.
In the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks dominate their series against the Cleveland Cavaliers 3-0 and this Monday they will have their first opportunity to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in this century.
