2 weeks ago
Victor Wembanyama had 41 points and 24 rebounds, Dylan Harper vanished pinch 24 points and a squad playoff-record 7 steals, and nan San Antonio Spurs hit nan Oklahoma City Thunder 122-115 successful a double-overtime classical to unfastened nan Western Conference finals.
Wembanyama sealed Monday night’s crippled pinch a brace of dunks successful nan last minute, 1 of them starring to a three-point play arsenic nan Spurs stole home-court advantage and hit nan Thunder for nan 5th clip successful six meetings this season.
Stephon Castle had 17 points, Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson each scored 13 and Julian Champagnie added 11 for nan Spurs, who were without De’Aaron Fox because of ankle stiffness.
“A awesome effort from everybody,” said Wembanyama, who, astatine 22 years and 134 days, became nan youngest subordinate pinch astatine slightest 40 points and 20 rebounds successful a playoff game.
“The champion subordinate successful nan … world,” Castle told NBC aft nan crippled erstwhile asked astir Wembanyama.
The Frenchman was asked if he agrees pinch Castle’s assessment. “The world is 8 cardinal people,” Wembanyama said. “That’s 8 cardinal opinions.”
Alex Caruso scored 31 points, nan second-highest scoring crippled of his career, disconnected nan chair for nan Thunder – whose nine-game playoff winning streak making love to Game 7 of past season’s NBA finals was snapped.
Jalen Williams returned from a six-game absence caused by a hamstring strain and scored 26 points for nan Thunder, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – connected nan nighttime he received his 2nd consecutive Most Valuable Player trophy – had 24 points and 12 assists but changeable 7 for 23 but struggled for agelong stretches and admitted aft nan crippled that he “had to beryllium better”. Asked whether watching Gilgeous-Alexander triumph nan grant served arsenic motivation, Wembanyama said, “Yeah, for sure.“
It was nan sixth Game 1 successful NBA playoff history to spell into double overtime – nan first since a Spurs-Warriors crippled successful 2013.
“It was a warfare of wills,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “The levels of intelligence toughness exuded by some teams ... we needed each 2nd from everybody that played.”
Wembanyama’s last statement was 14 for 25 from nan field, 12 for 13 from nan foul line, and his lone three-pointer came precocious successful nan first overtime, tying nan crippled from good beyond nan arc. Without that shot, location astir apt would person been nary 2nd overtime.
“Confidence done nan roof,” Harper said of nan value of Wembanyama’s agelong three. “I was benignant of stunned a small bit. But erstwhile nan shot went up, I’m like, ’Oh, it’s going in.’ It’s benignant of conscionable who he is.“
Wembanyama blocked 3 shots and changed countless others. He dunked connected nan Thunder and flexed, much than once. The Spurs outrebounded nan Thunder 61-40. Wembanyama moreover smiled and posed for nan cameras astatine times. This was his first convention finals game, connected nan roadworthy nary less, and he was arsenic comfortable arsenic could be.
“I deliberation he’s a awesome subordinate pinch precocious effect obviously, and erstwhile you play against those players it’s benignant of an acquired thing,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “You’re learning arsenic you go. We’ve gone done that pinch different awesome players.”
Game 2 is Wednesday astatine Oklahoma City.
