Victor Wembanyama turned his first Western Conference Finals game into an instant classic Monday night, exploding for 41 points and 24 rebounds to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a dramatic 122-115 double-overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game One.The performance came just minutes after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander accepted his second MVP trophy, an award Wembanyama openly believed he had a case for throughout the season.Asked afterward whether the night felt personal, the Spurs superstar didnt shy away from it.Yeah, for sure, Wembanyamaa said on if he took Gilgeous-Alexanders MVP personally. It feels like Ive still got a lot to learn. I want to get that trophy many times in my career.The 22-year-old became the youngest player in NBA history to record at least 40 points and 20 rebounds in a playoff game, while also becoming the first player since Wilt Chamberlain in 1960 to post a 40-20 stat line in a conference finals debut.But beyond the numbers, it was the timing of Wembanyamas biggest moments that stunned Oklahoma City.With San Antonio trailing by three late in the first overtime, Wemby calmly pulled up from well beyond the arc and buried a game-tying three over the Thunder defense.Spurs coach Mitch Johnson praised the effort on both ends of the floor after his star logged 49 exhausting minutes.His level of physicality and execution through physicality was tremendous, Johnson said. His rebounding obviously showed in the box score, but what was off the charts was defensively, he was in his stance almost all night. Thats 49 big minutes, and it was high level for the majority of those.Johnson also admitted the MVP announcement may have fueled Wembanyamas monster night.Related Article: Steve Kerr Admits Warriors Faults & Vow to Be Better for Year 13Hes competitive, Johnson said. To see the other competitor [with] the trophy he deserves voted the winner, if youre a competitor and you see another competitor get rewarded with what you want, thats motivation.READ MORE: Donovan Mitchells Leadership Saved Cavaliers Season
