Published On 19 May 202619 May 2026Victor 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. Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama celebrate after the game [Jesse D Garrabrant/Getty Images via AFP]Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP motivates WembanyamaWembanyama 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.” Advertisement 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 an …
