Rising from an MVP snub, the 22-year-old phenom mirrored legends Wilt and Kareem with a historic 41-point double-overtime masterpiece to silence skeptics and conquer Oklahoma City.
It was a history-making effort in a history-changing game, and after Victor Wembanyama delivered his spectacular double‑overtime performance in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, leading his San Antonio Spurs to a 122‑115 win at Oklahoma City, Wemby was asked if he's "the best player in the world.''
“Do I feel like it right now? I feel tired,'' Wembanyama answered, with wisdom beyond his tender 22 years. "But it’s not a question I’m wondering right now. We’ll see. The world is eight billion people, so it’s eight billion opinions.”
Consider that a pointed wink at the fact that on this Monday night, Thunder star Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander received enough "opinions'' to win his second straight MVP award. ... with Wembanyama as a runner-up.
The fabulous Frenchman's response?
He put up 41 points and 24 rebounds, which makes him only the second player to record a 40‑point, 20‑rebound game in a conference‑final debut.
In other words, he played like ...
An MVP.
The best player in the world.
Wembanyama played nearly 49 minutes and shot 14-of-25 from the field. He blocked 3 shots - yes, "SGA'' would feel his defensive presence - and the 7-4 star also dished out three assists and picked up one steal.
Oh, and in the clutch?
He went 5-of-6 over the course of both overtime periods, scoring 14 points and grabbing seven rebounds.
By the way, who was the first and only other person to score at least 40 points and 20 rebounds in a conference finals debut?
That would be all-time legend Wilt Chamberlain.
And Wemby also became just the second player aged 22 or younger to reach those figures.
Who was the first and only other person to do so?
That would be Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Wembanyama also sent the clear and distinct message that no other player on the planet impacts the game the way he does.
“I think that young man has a rare desire to step in every moment that’s in front of him,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said after the game. “I think he has shown in his three years, in a lot of different situations and a lot of different circumstances that he’s going to attack those moments.”
Was part of the "attack'' and part of the "moment'' the desire to suggest that maybe the voters got it wrong in their MVP selection?
Wembanyama was asked if he took the voting outcome personally.
“Yeah, for sure,” Wembanyama said as the Spurs now begin prepping for Game 2 in OKC on Wednesday night. “Everything you just said.”
