Victor Wembanyama’s statement dunk took the spotlight in the San Antonio Spurs’ 2OT 122-115 WCF Game 1 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on Monday.
The center had the audience and the NBA world stunned when he slammed one in over MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during the second quarter, with many analysts and fans sharing their two cents.
NBA World Reacts to Victor Wembanyama’s Jaw-Dropping Dunk on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The action unfolded in the second quarter when Wembanyama caught a lob mid-lane. The French superstar managed to get his hands on it, moved to his left, and threw it down between Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren.
Commenting on the sizzling dunk was content creator Jae: “That sh** look so fake .. some 2k sh**.. walking cheat code!”
That shit look so fake .. some 2k shit 😂 .. walking cheat code! pic.twitter.com/X5QV9MZy41
— Jae (@xLetsTlkAboutIt) May 19, 2026
This was seconded by podcaster Fuad Cadani, who had a one-word response to Wembanyama: “Nasty.”
NASTY! https://t.co/dvd82fGKTy
— Fuad 🫆 (@FuadCadani) May 19, 2026
Ken Love was one of the names who reacted as well, writing, “Wemby saving the NBA.”
It was a solid start to the series for the big man as he went into halftime with a double-double, recording 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Wemby saving the NBA https://t.co/WWvNaaE0ZA
— Kenlovehoops (@Kenlovehoops) May 19, 2026
“Bro who finna stop Wemby from getting 10 rings?” wrote media company Flyest Ninja in America.
Bro who finna stop Wemby from getting 10 rings? https://t.co/3gOgnqPaAX
— Flyest Ninja in America (@flyestinamerica) May 19, 2026
Ticket search platform TicketWhiz made a bold comparison: “We haven’t seen a dominant force like this since 2000 Shaq.”
Wembanyama ended the contest with 41 points, 24 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks.
The video game numbers saw the Spurs pull off a thrilling win to go up 1-0.
Also playing their parts were Dylan Harper with 24 points and 11 rebounds, and Stephon Castle with 17 points and 11 assists. Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson had 13 points each.
For the Thunder, Gilgeous-Alexander had a double-double with 24 points and 12 assists. Alex Caruso had a solid outing with 31 points, while Jalen Williams notched up 26 points.
All eyes were on Wembanyama ahead of the series, with Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert dishing out a candid take on his national teammate’s abilities.
“It’s a credit to his work and all the sacrifices that he made and all the time that he puts to his body, on his mind, his dedication,” he said, per The Athletic.
“As a competitor, I always try to build him up, and I thought we had a way to beat them, but he led his team, and now, it’s going to be interesting to see how he’s ready to face that next challenge, see if he takes his team to the promised land this year.”
San Antonio’s Game 1 win was all the more impressive because the Spurs did it in the absence of De’Aaron Fox, who was ruled out of Game 1 with ankle soreness.
