The San Antonio Spurs upset the Oklahoma City Thunder in double overtime to take Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals
The San Antonio Spurs led for most of their Game 1 thriller against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but were unable to ever put the game out of reach. However, when it mattered most, the Spurs took control, winning 122-115 in double overtime.
Fans were promised the best series of the playoffs, and they got an instant classic in Game 1. The Spurs were led by 41 points and 24 rebounds from Victor Wembanyama, who imposed his will on both ends of the floor.
On Sunday, around 30 hours before tipoff, ESPN's Shams Charania leaked that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had won MVP, besting both Wemby and Nikola Jokic. Wembanyama and the Spurs seemed to take that personally, and in response to Wembanyama's masterclass, SGA posted only 24 points on seven made shots. He did rack up 12 assists, in large part thanks to the double-teams he saw, but he was certainly not the best player on the floor in the game.
Wembanyama thinks the title might be his now.
Wembanyama Sends Message to Thunder
Starting in their rookie season, Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren have been billed as the next great NBA rivalry. It's pretty clear that Wemby doesn't like the towering OKC center, although he's outgrown that beef, instead putting the entire Thunder on his list.
Remember when he said they don't play ethical basketball?
Knowing that Wembanyama doesn't like the Thunder and knowing that he felt snubbed out of the MVP award, reporters after the game were looking for a "message," almost in the prophetic sense.
"The message would be that we as a team are ready to go in any environment in any place against anybody, and even though we still have a lot to learn, our effort should be over anybody else's, and tonight we were relentless," he summed up.
Wembanyama has made it loing clear that while he wants to win MVP, winning titles is more important, although he didn't brush off questions about the Michael Jordan Trophy, either.
"I want to get that trophy you know many times in my career," he offered.
After Monday's showing, it's safe to say that he will be the favorite for the award next season, and probably for every season after that. The Spurs marched into Oklahoma City and stole Game 1. If it wasn't for Alex Caruso's 31 points, the game probably would have been a bloodbath.
Either way, the Spurs will take the early win.
