Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals featured a thrilling double-overtime win for the San Antonio Spurs against the Oklahoma City Thunder last Monday. Victor Wembanyama delivered a standout performance with 41 points and 24 rebounds, helping the Spurs secure victory.

The Thunder, known for their championship prowess, bounced back in the next two games. They triumphed in Game 2 by nine points and Game 3 by 15, showcasing guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP skills. The Thunder aimed to extend their lead in Game 4, but Wembanyama had other plans.

On Sunday, the Spurs’ Wembanyama, often called Wemby, displayed his scoring ability with 22 points before halftime. His highlight was a 42-foot three-pointer from the Spurs’ logo, pushing the halftime lead to 50-38. Remarkably, this was executed with the precision of a regular jump shot.

This playoffs mark Wembanyama’s first since being the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. He has led the Spurs to their first Western Conference Finals since 2017. During the playoffs, he earned the NBA Defensive Player of the Year title, becoming the first player to win it unanimously. Despite the honor, Wembanyama had his sights set on the MVP award, which went to Gilgeous-Alexander. Motivated by this, Wembanyama delivered his outstanding Game 1 performance.

Wembanyama attempts to cement his legacy by halting the Thunder’s journey toward back-to-back championships, a feat last achieved by the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018. The series winner will potentially face the New York Knicks in the 2026 NBA Finals. The Knicks lead the Eastern Conference Finals 3-0 against the Cleveland Cavaliers and have won 10 consecutive playoff games.