Victor Wembanyama outduelled Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to lead the San Antonio Spurs to an epic 122-115 double-overtime triumph over the Oklahoma City Thunder in game one of the NBA Western Conference finals.
Wembanyama scored 41 points and pulled down 24 rebounds in the thrilling game on Monday. He forced the second overtime with a dazzling three-pointer and delivered nine of the Spurs’ 14 points in the second overtime as San Antonio handed the defending champions their first defeat of these playoffs.
“It was, like, sheer willpower,” 22-year-old Wembanyama told broadcaster NBC after the game.
The French star played 49 minutes, producing a pair of dunks and a crucial block late in the second overtime to seal the victory.
With the triumph at Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center, the Spurs stole home-court advantage in the best-of-seven series that will send the winners to the NBA Finals.
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Wembanyama scores 41 as Spurs upset Thunder in Game 1 thriller
French centre dominates as San Antonio steal a crucial 122–115 road win against defending NBA champions.
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San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) and Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) reach for a rebound during the first half of Game 1 in a third-round NBA basketball playoffs series Monday, May 18, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Spurs’ forward Victor Wembanyama scored 41 points and pulled down 24 rebounds in game one of the NBA Western Conference finals in Oklahoma City, US, on May 18, 2026 [Nate Billings/AP Photo]
By AFP
Published On 19 May 2026
19 May 2026
Victor Wembanyama outduelled Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to lead the San Antonio Spurs to an epic 122-115 double-overtime triumph over the Oklahoma City Thunder in game one of the NBA Western Conference finals.
Wembanyama scored 41 points and pulled down 24 rebounds in the thrilling game on Monday. He forced the second overtime with a dazzling three-pointer and delivered nine of the Spurs’ 14 points in the second overtime as San Antonio handed the defending champions their first defeat of these playoffs.
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“It was, like, sheer willpower,” 22-year-old Wembanyama told broadcaster NBC after the game.
The French star played 49 minutes, producing a pair of dunks and a crucial block late in the second overtime to seal the victory.
With the triumph at Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center, the Spurs stole home-court advantage in the best-of-seven series that will send the winners to the NBA Finals.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – MAY 18: Stephon Castle #5 and Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrate after the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game One of the NBA Western Conference Finals on May 18, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP)
Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama celebrate after the game [Jesse D Garrabrant/Getty Images via AFP]
Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP motivates Wembanyama
Wembanyama admitted the sight of Thunder star Gilgeous-Alexander receiving his second straight Most Valuable Player trophy before the game made the clash more personal “for sure”.
He earned Defensive Player of the Year honours but finished third in the MVP voting announced on Sunday.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said the sight of Gilgeous-Alexander lifting the MVP award “100 percent” motivated his star.
“He’s competitive,” Johnson said. “If you’re a competitor and you see another competitor get rewarded with what you want.”
But Wembanyama said the main message of the night was that the young Spurs “are ready to go in any environment, in any place, against anybody.
