Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs are going to the NBA Finals, taking down reigning champions Oklahoma City in a thrilling do-or-die game seven decider on the road.
The 226cm giant scored 22 points and brought in seven rebounds in the 111-103 win, with his emotions spilling out following the thrilling victory.
Tears flowed from Wembanyama and his young teammates, as it dawned on them that they were heading to the NBA Finals, where they will challenge the New York Knicks.
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Victor Wembanyama overcome with emotion after the win. NBAE via Getty Images
All of the Spurs’ key players delivered. De’Aaron Fox, Julian Champagne, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Dylan Harper and Keldon Johnson all scored double digits, showcasing how well they spread the load.
It speaks volumes of the young team’s ability to handle the enormous pressure of a game seven on the road in front of a deafening Oklahoma City crowd.
League MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did all he could for the Thunder, scoring 35 points in 43 minutes and bouncing back from a few tough performances.
However, he was left to handle too much of the load. Fellow All-Star Chet Holmgren had no impact on the game, scoring his four points and attempting just two field goals in 33 minutes.
He was benched late as OKC made their last gasp attempt at a comeback.
“(Holmgren) hasn’t taken a shot in the second half. You have got to be kidding me,” Pacers legend Reggie Miller said on the Amazon broadcast.
Three-time NBA sixth man of the year Jamal Crawford was equally disappointed with the centre’s performance.
“(Gilgeous-Alexander has) gotten no help from the other All-Star on the team,” Crawford said.
“I’d rather him go 1 for 15 from this game. He’s gone 1 for 2.”
Wembanyama dunks on Holmgren. Getty
Holmgren and Wembanyama have had a budding rivalry across their early careers in the NBA, and even dating back to FIBA battles as juniors.
OKC was missing its secondary playmaker Jalen Williams to a hamstring injury and bench scorer Ajay Mitchell to a calf issue.
The Thunder were the clear favourites to win the NBA championship this season and go back-to-back, but injuries hit them at the death.
Cason Wallace scored 17 points and hit five threes to give the Thunder any chance of being within striking distance in the fourth quarter.
Victor Wembanyama celebrates as the Spurs advance to the NBA Finals. NBAE via Getty Images
But this game seven was all San Antonio. They led effectively from start to finish, compounding their dominant game six win.
Wembanyama was named Western Conference Finals MVP in the aftermath.
The No.1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Frenchman has quickly asserted himself as the next big thing in basketball.
He won rookie of the year in his first year and was an MVP finalist this season. He has now led his team all the way to the finals.
They will take on the Knicks, who swept Cleveland in four games in the Eastern Conference Finals.
It’s the first time New York has featured in the finals this century.