When two of the league’s most intriguing young big men share the floor, the word rivalry tends to get tossed around. But when San Antonio and Oklahoma City went head-to-head Tuesday night, Victor Wembanyama made it clear he wasn’t buying into the hype.
The Spurs handled business in a convincing 130-110 win over the Thunder, building a 21-point cushion at home and not letting up. That’s now two wins over OKC in the span of ten days, and San Antonio is starting to look like a team that’s not just talented-but locked in.
Wembanyama, once again coming off the bench as the Spurs continue to manage his minutes post-injury, finished with 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists in 23 minutes. He also drew an offensive foul on Chet Holmgren-an early flashpoint in a game many expected to have a little extra juice.
But Wemby didn’t flinch. No staredowns.
No trash talk. Just business.
After the game, he was asked directly about the supposed rivalry between him and Holmgren. His response? Cool, calm, and straight to the point.
“No, I don’t think about that. At least from a basketball standpoint, there’s no comparison between us,” Wembanyama said.
That’s not shade-it’s confidence. And it’s backed by the scoreboard.
Holmgren struggled on the night, finishing with just seven points on 3-of-10 shooting in 27 minutes. He never found a rhythm, and the Thunder as a whole looked a step behind from the opening tip.
Meanwhile, San Antonio is quietly putting together something special. The win pushed the Spurs to 22-7 on the season, good for second place in the Western Conference. They’ve now won seven straight-currently the longest active streak in the league.
And they’re doing it with a balanced approach. The offense is humming, the defense is tightening up, and Wembanyama, even in a managed role, is making his presence felt on both ends of the floor.
But there’s still a cautious eye on his health. Wembanyama is coming off a calf strain that sidelined him for 12 games.
He’s played in five straight since returning, including the NBA Cup Final on December 16 (though that loss didn’t count in the regular season standings). Still, the Spurs are being smart with their prized rookie.
Before Tuesday’s game, head coach Mitch Johnson addressed the team’s approach to Wembanyama’s recovery.
“I feel strongly about it, but we want to be mindful also of the NBA report and make sure he’s in a good place,” Johnson said.
Translation: They’re not rushing anything. The long-term picture is what matters, even as the short-term results are stacking up.
And that’s the real story here. Not a rivalry.
Not headlines or hot takes. Just a team that’s playing winning basketball, with a generational talent who’s locked in on the bigger picture.
The Spurs are rising-and Wembanyama’s not chasing comparisons. He’s setting the standard.