Victor Wembanyama drops 41 and 24 in double-OT thriller as Spurs stun Thunder 122-115 in Game 1 [VIDEO]
The 22-year-old hit a 28-foot step-back three to force second overtime and joined Wilt Chamberlain in history
The San Antonio Spurs entered Paycom Center on Monday night without their starting point guard De’Aaron Fox. He was sidelined with right ankle soreness. San Antonio left with a 122-115 double-overtime victory and a 1-0 series lead over the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
Victor Wembanyama played 49 minutes and delivered one of the most extraordinary playoff performances in recent memory. He became the youngest player in NBA history to post a 40-point, 20-rebound playoff game. Wemby joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only players with 40 or more points and 20 or more rebounds in a Conference Finals debut.
The game featured 10 lead changes and 8 ties across 53 minutes, marking the sixth Game 1 in NBA playoff history to reach double overtime and the first since 2013. The Spurs, who won five of six regular-season meetings against the Thunder, snapped OKC’s nine-game playoff winning streak dating back to last season’s Finals Game 7.
A Clutch Step-Back Three Cemented Wemby’s Historic Night
The game was a back-and-forth slugfest from the opening tip. At the end of the first quarter, the game was tied at 27-27. By halftime, the Spurs built a 51-44 lead behind Victor Wembanyama’s early double-double. This effort included 14 points and 10 rebounds by intermission. San Antonio extended the advantage to 80-73 entering the fourth quarter.
The Thunder stormed back in regulation. As a result of their scoring efforts, they cut into the lead. This turned the final minutes into a battle of star power. Wembanyama had a potential game-winner at the buzzer. However, Chet Holmgren blocked his shot, and this forced the game into overtime.
In the first overtime, Oklahoma City took a three-point lead with under a minute left after a 7-0 run. Wembanyama answered by stepping back to approximately 28 feet — a distance that recalled Stephen Curry’s famous 2016 shot in the same building — and drilling a three-pointer to tie the game with 26 seconds remaining. The Spurs could not convert on a final possession with 0.7 seconds left, sending the game to a second overtime.
The second overtime belonged to San Antonio. The Spurs scored the first four points, and Wembanyama delivered a crucial dunk and a late three-point play to secure an 118-114 lead. San Antonio outscored Oklahoma City 14-7 in the period, pulling away for the road victory.
Dylan Harper Set a Spurs Playoff Record With 7 Steals
Rookie guard Dylan Harper was spectacular in extended minutes. He finished with 24 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and a Spurs playoff-record 7 steals in approximately 47 minutes. His defensive disruption proved instrumental in containing Oklahoma City’s guards and generating transition opportunities for San Antonio.
Stephon Castle complemented him with 17 points, 11 assists, and 6 rebounds in nearly 49 minutes. Without De’Aaron Fox, the young Spurs backcourt of Castle and Harper effectively managed the pressure of a hostile road environment and a double-overtime contest against the reigning Western Conference champions.
Devin Vassell added 13 points, including timely three-pointers. Keldon Johnson and Julian Champagnie contributed 13 and 11 points, respectively. As a team, the Spurs shot 41-of-96 from the field (42.7 percent) and dominated the glass with a 61-40 rebounding advantage, which proved decisive in the extra periods.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Struggled From the Field on His MVP Night
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander received his second consecutive MVP trophy in a pregame ceremony. However, the celebration did not translate to the court. He finished with 24 points on 7-of-23 shooting (30.4 percent), along with 12 assists and 5 steals in approximately 51 minutes. His efficiency was hindered by San Antonio’s length and defensive schemes.
Alex Caruso served as the Thunder’s offensive spark. With this energy, he scored a playoff career-high 31 points off the bench on 8-of-14 shooting from three-point range. His perimeter scoring kept Oklahoma City competitive through the fourth quarter and overtime periods. Jalen Williams returned from a hamstring injury. He returned in time to contribute 26 points and 7 rebounds.
Chet Holmgren posted 8 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks. He was limited offensively and faced heavy scrutiny for his matchup against Wembanyama, especially on the game-tying three-pointer in the first overtime. The Thunder’s bench contributed 50 points overall. However, the team was outrebounded by 21 and struggled to secure enough stops late in the game.
Spurs Snapped OKC’s Nine-Game Playoff Winning Streak
The Thunder came into Game 1 having won nine consecutive playoff games dating back to last season’s NBA championship run. The Spurs ended that streak in dramatic fashion on Oklahoma City’s home floor. San Antonio also flipped home-court advantage in the series, seizing a 1-0 lead ahead of Game 2 on Wednesday.
The Spurs and Thunder split their regular-season meetings, but San Antonio won five of the six overall encounters. Both teams entered the series with strong 60-win seasons — the Thunder at 64-18 and the Spurs at 62-20 — setting the stage for what many view as a potential long-term Western Conference rivalry between two young, future-oriented rosters.
The Spurs secured the road win without their starting point guard De’Aaron Fox. The victory highlighted San Antonio’s depth and the emergence of its young core, with Victor Wembanyama (22), Stephon Castle (21), and Dylan Harper (20) combining for 82 points, 41 rebounds, and 20 assists.
Social Media Reacted to Wembanyama’s Double-OT Masterpiece
The X post announcing the final score generated strong engagement, with users marveling at Victor Wembanyama’s 41-24 performance and the double-overtime thriller. One user wrote: “Wemby played 49 minutes in a Game 1 on the road and put up 41 and 24. That’s not human.” Another posted: “That step-back three in the first OT was cold-blooded. He knew it was going in.”
Thunder fans expressed frustration with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s shooting night. “MVP trophy before the game, then 7-of-23. That’s tough,” one user wrote. Another commented: “Caruso scored 31 off the bench and they still lost. That’s a problem.” Some users highlighted the rebounding disparity: “OKC got outrebounded by 21 at home. You can’t win playoff games like that.”
Others looked ahead to Game 2. “If the Spurs can steal one more in OKC, this series might be over before it starts,” one user wrote. Another posted: “Harper with 7 steals as a rookie in the Western Conference Finals. The Spurs’ front office cooked.” The series resumes Wednesday night at Paycom Center.
Wednesday 8:30 PM in OKC: The Thunder’s Moment of Truth
The Spurs lead the series 1-0 with Game 2 scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, at 8:30 PM at Paycom Center. De’Aaron Fox’s status remains unclear after missing Game 1 with right ankle soreness. The Thunder will need a more efficient performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a much stronger rebounding effort to avoid falling into a 2-0 hole before the series shifts to San Antonio.
Oklahoma City’s nine-game playoff winning streak is now over. The Spurs have stolen home-court advantage. Victor Wembanyama played 49 minutes and looked like the best player on the floor. Dylan Harper set a franchise playoff record for steals. And a rookie-laden starting lineup without its All-Star point guard walked into the defending conference champion’s building and won in double overtime.
Game 2 is Wednesday. The questions for the Thunder are urgent: Can they contain Wembanyama on the glass? Can Gilgeous-Alexander find his shot? And can they win a game before heading to San Antonio, where the Spurs have been nearly unbeatable in these playoffs?