Victor Wembanyama stuns MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as Thunder reportedly “afraid” to attack the paint

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May 19, 2026 - 13:23

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Victor Wembanyama Shai Gilgeous-Alexander IMAGN 05182026

Victor Wembanyama stuns MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as Thunder reportedly “afraid” to attack the paint originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Victor Wembanyama led the San Antonio Spurs to a dramatic 122-115 double-overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. The loss marked the Thunder's first loss of the playoffs after sweeping both the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers in the opening rounds.

Though Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league’s reigning MVP and back-to-back winner of the award, entered the game as the NBA’s top star, the spotlight quickly shifted to Wembanyama’s performance. Emmanuel Acho was among those who praised the Spurs’ phenom after his dominant showing against SGA’s Thunder.

“We have never seen anything like what Victor Wembanyama just did, especially at this age,” Acho said. "Don't talk to me about LeBron, D-Wade, Duncan, Dirk, Garnett or anybody else at this age. I don't even want to hear about Shaq at this age…His stats don't even tell the story. The Thunder were literally afraid to get into the paint because of Victor Wembanyama.

“What we are witnessing with Victor Wembanyama, we have not witnessed before and I do not think that we will witness again. Victor Wembanyama and these Spurs are here to stay in their first outing in Oklahoma City Thunder, reigning MVP SGA got crowned and Wimby said, ‘I'm gonna need that crown I'm gonna need to hold that incredibly impressive.”

"Don't talk to me about LeBron, D-Wade, Duncan, Dirk, Garnett or anybody else at this age... VICTOR WEMBANYAMA is unlike anything we've ever seen"

– @EmmanuelAcho gives MAJOR kudos to Wemby following his game one dominance over SGA'S Thunder

LIVE NOW: https://t.co/IRI1FTA4A9 pic.twitter.com/HTPyxw4zUe— Speakeasy (@speakeasytlkshw) May 19, 2026

Wembanyama finished the game with a dominant 41 points and 24 rebounds. It is an achievement reached only a handful of times in NBA history by players like Wilt Chamberlain, Hakeem Olajuwon, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Charles Barkley.

Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander fought hard for the Thunder but struggled with efficiency, shooting 7-of-23 from the field to finish with 24 points while adding 12 assists. However, the Thunder couldn’t contain Wembanyama’s impact.

Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday in Oklahoma City.