Victor Wembanyama scored 41 points and grabbed 24 rebounds, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 122-115 double-overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
The 7-foot-4 French sensation shot 14-of-25 from the field and 12-of-13 from the free-throw line, outshining back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to help San Antonio steal home-court advantage on Monday night.
NBA World Reacts to Victor Wembanyama’s Historic Game 1 Against the Thunder
Wembanyama sealed the win for San Antonio with a pair of dunks that helped his team hold off the defending champions, who squandered an opportunity to extend their playoff winning streak to 10 games as Gilgeous-Alexander misfired throughout the game.
The French big man became the youngest player in NBA history to record at least 40 points and 20 rebounds in a playoff game at 22 years and 134 days.
Wembanyama’s performance prompted Yahoo Sports podcaster and writer Kevin O’Connor to reminisce about the past, as the achievement placed him alongside the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Moses Malone, Elgin Baylor, and Wilt Chamberlain.
Victor Wembanyama joins a list of Hall of Famers with 40/20 in NBA Playoff history:
Nikola Jokic
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Shaquille O’Neal
David Robinson
Charles Barkley
Hakeem Olajuwon
Moses Malone
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Bob McAdoo
Wilt Chamberlain
Elgin Baylor
Dolph Schayes pic.twitter.com/5Ik91nihAO— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnor) May 19, 2026
O’Connor added that the San Antonio Spurs superstar is on pace to be named the “Greatest of All Time.”
Victor Wembanyama is on the GOAT trajectory.
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnor) May 19, 2026
Even one of the fan pages supporting the Los Angeles Lakers was in awe of the big man, conceding that the Frenchman is “the best player in the league.”
Victor Wembanyama is the best player in the league
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) May 19, 2026
Free agent guard and former lottery pick Lonzo Ball vouched for O’Connor’s statement, believing that Wembanyama has the potential to become the greatest player of all time at a young age.
Yeah if you don’t believe he got potential to be the GOAT then you don’t know ball!
— Lonzo Ball (@ZO2_) May 19, 2026
After Wembanyama’s epic performance, ESPN’s Sam Block became one of the believers that the French sensation’s ability is out of this world.
“Victor Wembanyama went from really good young player to Top 3 player in the world ridiculously fast. This guy is not human,” Block wrote.
Victor Wembanyama went from really good young player to Top 3 player in the world ridiculously fast.
This guy is not human.
— Sam Block (@theblockspot) May 19, 2026
Former NFL star Robert Griffin III summed it up by calling Wemby by his other nickname.
“VICTOR WEMBANYAMA IS AN ALIEN 🤯,” RG III noted.
VICTOR WEMBANYAMA IS AN ALIEN 🤯
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) May 19, 2026
Justin Turpin, a writer covering the Boston Celtics, hailed Wembanyama, calling him “a legit cheat code.”
Victor Wembanyama is a legit cheat code
— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) May 19, 2026
New York-based sports podcaster Joel Moran seemed headed toward becoming a full-fledged Wemby fan, saying, “Victor Wembanyama is clearly the best player in the world. Without a f***ing doubt. He’s unreal.”
Victor Wembanyama is clearly the best player in the world.
Without a fucking doubt. He’s unreal.
— Joel Moran (@joelvmoran) May 19, 2026
Denver sports personality Ryan Blackburn was savoring every moment as Wembanyama dominated the Thunder in Game 1, and he tweeted, “My god, what a show from Victor Wembanyama. What a joy to watch him tonight.”
My god, what a show from Victor Wembanyama. What a joy to watch him tonight.
— Ryan Blackburn (@NBABlackburn) May 19, 2026
Wembanyama’s big-time performance would not have been possible without his teammates’ contributions.
Dylan Harper contributed 24 points and a team playoff-record 7 steals, while Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and Julian Champagnie combined for 54 points for the Spurs, who played without De’Aaron Fox (right ankle stiffness).
San Antonio also continued its dominance over Oklahoma City this season, winning for the fifth time in six meetings.
Meanwhile, Alex Caruso led the Thunder with 31 points, while returning Jalen Williams added 26 points. OKC will look to turn it around with Game 2 tipping off on Wednesday.
