Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren may not be the next Magic vs. Bird-at least not yet-but their names are already being linked in conversations about the NBA’s next great big-man rivalry. And while fans and analysts continue to stoke the flames of that narrative, Wembanyama himself doesn’t seem all that interested in playing along.
After San Antonio’s 130-110 win over Oklahoma City on Tuesday night, Wembanyama was asked in French whether he sees a rivalry brewing with Holmgren. His response? Blunt and unmistakably confident.
“No, I don’t think about that,” Wembanyama said, via L’Équipe. “At least from a basketball standpoint, there’s no comparison (between us).”
It’s the kind of comment that raises eyebrows-not just because of what was said, but who said it. Wembanyama, already an All-Star and a player many believe is on the fast track to an All-NBA nod, has never shied away from speaking his mind.
He plays with poise, but he talks with an edge. And in this case, that edge was pointed directly at Holmgren, the Thunder’s rising star who’s also coming into his own as a core piece of a championship-contending roster.
Now, to be clear, Wembanyama isn’t wrong in saying he’s carved out a unique space for himself. His blend of size, skill, and defensive instincts is unlike anything the league has seen in years. But it’s also fair to wonder: what’s driving this need to draw a line between himself and Holmgren?
Maybe it’s just competitive fire. Some players thrive on the comparisons, using them as fuel.
Michael Jordan famously turned slights-real or imagined-into motivation. And with all the “Wemby vs.
Chet” talk swirling around every time these two share the floor, it’s possible Wembanyama simply wants to shut the conversation down before it gains more traction. From his perspective, the gap is already wide enough.
Tuesday night’s game, though, didn’t offer much to separate the two. Wembanyama, still on a minutes restriction after a recent calf strain, logged just 23 minutes and finished with 12 points.
Holmgren, meanwhile, had a quiet night of his own: 7 points and 3 rebounds in 27 minutes. Neither player dominated, but that didn’t stop the Spurs from making a statement.
San Antonio has quietly put together its best season in years, and they’re doing it with a team-first approach. Wembanyama may be the face of the franchise, but he’s far from a solo act.
On Tuesday, it was sixth man Keldon Johnson who led the charge, pouring in 25 points on an efficient 10-of-16 shooting night. That kind of depth is what makes the Spurs dangerous-and why they’ve now beaten the defending champs twice in the last 10 days.
Yes, you read that right. The Spurs have taken down the 2025 NBA champions twice in less than two weeks, and they’ll get another shot at them on Christmas Day when the two teams meet again in Oklahoma City.
Whether Wembanyama likes it or not, the spotlight will be back on him and Holmgren. That’s just how it goes when two 7-foot unicorns with sky-high ceilings share the court.
The rivalry may not be real in Wembanyama’s eyes, but the intrigue certainly is. And as long as both players keep growing, evolving, and pushing their teams toward the top of the Western Conference, this storyline isn’t going anywhere.
So circle that Christmas Day matchup. Not just for the fireworks on the scoreboard-but for the quiet, simmering tension between two of the league’s brightest young stars. Whether it’s a rivalry or not, it’s must-watch basketball.