Back a month after his last match, Victor Wembanyama was decisive on the night from Saturday to Sunday during the prestigious victory of the Spurs over the Oklahoma City Thunder. San Antonio won 111-109 to qualify for the NBA Cup final in Las Vegas. The Spurs will face the New York Knicks this Tuesday, who defeated the Orlando Magic 132 to 120. This will be a first collective trophy opportunity for Wembanyama in the heart of his third NBA season.
In a rather sleepy T-Mobile Arena, a rumble was heard at the start of the second quarter, for the entry into play of Victor Wembanyama. Deprived of the field due to a left calf injury, Wemby had to settle for substitute status and twenty minutes of play.
“It was incredible. I have seen my teammates become better in the last twelve matches, achieving great things. I just wanted to be part of it, I’m happy that it continues when I come back, to be part of this team which is evolving towards basketball with the purest ethics,” he said.
“I was a ball of energy”
Wemby made the most of every second on the floor. He upset his opponents a lot, bulging his muscles after an opposing foul, while displaying a spectacular level, with 22 points including 15 in the last quarter, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks. “I was a ball of energy. I couldn’t stop before the match, it had to come out one way or another (smile),” explained the Frenchman at the end of the match.
🇫🇷 Victor Wembanyama after a month without competition?
21 minutes
22 points
9 rebounds
2 counters
+21
The WIN against the Thunder undefeated for 16 games— NBA France (@NBAFRANCE) December 14, 2025
“He did a phenomenal job of having an impact on the match without forcing too much in the scoring, but with aggression, he played without complexes and tirelessly,” praised his coach Mitch Johnson.
When she entered, the young French nugget first brought her desire, a tap, a defensive rebound, an offensive rebound and an assist in just a few seconds. Enough to put his San Antonio team, led 31 to 21 after the first quarter, back in place.
On the way to Wemby’s first NBA title
“He had a huge influence on the match, on both sides of the court, he protected the circle, then took his rhythm offensively,” underlined Thunder coach Mark Daigneault. His team, a relentless machine at the start of the record season with 24 wins and one defeat before that night, began to feel less comfortable, conceding a 15-2 lead at the end of the second quarter.
At the end of the match, the two teams increased their intensity, exchanging the lead six times. Wembanyama stood out with a counter on Chet Holmgren, a dunk on a throw-in or even a very difficult shot against Alex Caruso’s suffocating defense. The Spurs thus achieved a small feat against Oklahoma City, NBA champion in the spring.
This Tuesday, Wemby could therefore win his first NBA trophy against the Knicks. “I would see it as an accomplishment but not at all play-off level. These are matches that have meaning, more at stake, more than in the regular season that’s for sure. It’s not really explainable. We play for that, for those moments. »
