Wembanyama scores 41 as Spurs upset Thunder in Game 1 thriller | Basketball
Wembanyama Leads Spurs to Double-Overtime Win Over Thunder in Conference Finals Opener
Published: May 19, 2026
In a thrilling Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference Finals, Victor Wembanyama propelled the San Antonio Spurs to a 122-115 double-overtime victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night.
Wembanyama recorded an impressive 41 points and 24 rebounds, showcasing his skills in a game that saw him net a key three-pointer that forced the second overtime. He contributed nine of San Antonio’s 14 points in the second overtime, marking a significant moment as the Spurs handed the defending champions their first loss of the playoffs.
“It was sheer willpower,” the 22-year-old Wembanyama remarked in an interview with NBC following the game.
Playing for 49 minutes, Wembanyama also made two critical dunks and executed a crucial block late in the second overtime to secure the win. The game took place at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, allowing the Spurs to seize home-court advantage in the best-of-seven series, with the winner moving on to the NBA Finals.
Motivation from Rivals
Before the game, the sight of Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander receiving his second consecutive Most Valuable Player award added an extra layer of intensity to the matchup. Wembanyama, who finished third in MVP voting but earned Defensive Player of the Year honors, acknowledged this personal competition.
Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson noted that Gilgeous-Alexander’s recognition served as a motivating factor for Wembanyama. “He’s competitive. If you’re a competitor and you see another competitor get rewarded with what you want, it definitely motivates you,” Johnson said.
Despite his own accolades, Wembanyama emphasized the Spurs’ readiness to compete against any opponent. “Our effort should be over anybody else’s, and tonight we were relentless,” he added.
Rookie Dylan Harper, filling in for injured De’Aaron Fox, contributed 24 points and seven steals, while Stephon Castle added 17 points and 11 assists. The Spurs showcased their dominance over the Thunder, having defeated them in four of five meetings this season.
Thunder’s Performance
The Thunder, who aim to become the first team to win back-to-back championships since the Golden State Warriors in 2018, ended the regular season with a league-high 64 wins. Despite their record, Oklahoma City struggled against San Antonio throughout the season.
Gilgeous-Alexander managed 24 points, struggling initially but helping his team rally from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
Oklahoma City’s Alex Caruso led his team with 31 points, and Jalen Williams marked his return from injury with 26 points. As the fourth quarter dwindled, Wembanyama scored to give San Antonio a 101-99 lead, but Gilgeous-Alexander quickly equalized, resulting in a tense finish that culminated in overtime.
In the first overtime, Gilgeous-Alexander gave the Thunder a brief lead, but Wembanyama responded with a three-pointer, pushing the game into a second overtime.
“I know what my teammates are capable of,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “It’s just unfortunate I wasn’t able to bring my best game tonight. But that’s how it goes sometimes. You’ve got to roll with the punches.”
The Thunder, who swept the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers in earlier playoff rounds, will seek redemption in Game 2 on Wednesday before the series moves to San Antonio for Games 3 and 4 on Friday and Saturday. The winners of the series will advance to face either the New York Knicks or the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.
