In a battle between two 7-foot do-it-all centers, Victor Wembanyama led San Antonio to beat Chet Holmgren and the Oklahoma City Thunder 132-118, snapping a five-game skid as the Spurs returned to the Frost Bank Center after finishing 1-8 on their annual Rodeo Road Trip. The third matchup this season between the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder pitted the top two favorites for Rookie of the Year into another memorable matchup.
Wembanyama Secures First Victory Over Chet Holmgren with Historic Performance

After their first win and home game in some time, the Spurs rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama couldn’t contain his excitement in the post-game interview. Wembanyama had 28 points and 12 rebounds, adding seven assists, five blocks, and two assists while shooting over 52% from the field and an absurd five for seven on 3-pointers.
"I missed this sh*t. I love it!"
Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama is happy to play in front of the home crowd for the first time since early February 🗣️pic.twitter.com/bGEZ7JOVeV
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 1, 2024
After his post-game slip on the court, Wembanyama laughed, saying he is still adjusting, and discussed growing as a rookie this season. “It’s a lot of mental,” the 20-year-old said. “You know Kobe said to win a game, it mostly takes shots, big shots, because they don’t call like any fouls. It’s not as much the physical battle. Even though in defense it’s 90 percent effort, but offensively, it’s a lot of mental.”
Victor Wembanyama says the #Spurs racking up a season-high 39 assists is the reason for the win. Also, #Wemby didn’t think anything of saying “I miss this sh*t” — he’s adjusting to American culture. 😆 pic.twitter.com/8iHYnkaIuL
— Mary Rominger (@KSATMaryRom) March 1, 2024
Wembanyama had plenty of help as the Spurs shot over 52% from the floor and nearly 50% from the 3-point line, hitting 19 of 39 shots from beyond the arc on the night. After failing to score in the Spurs’ previous game, Jeremy Sochan added 21 points and ten rebounds, while Vassell matched Wembanyama with 28 points alongside nine assists and two steals. San Antonio point guard Tre Jones, who contributed 17 points, eight assists, and six rebounds in the game, said, “I think just let him be him,” regarding Victor. “We don’t want to change that. Look where it’s gotten him to this point.” Not bad advice after Wembanyama has had multiple historic performances, this time becoming the first player in NBA history with 25 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, five blocks, and five 3-pointers in a game.
WEMBY BLOCKS CHET 😤
CLUTCH DEFENSE. pic.twitter.com/wZBh9Cqxoq
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 1, 2024
San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich complimented the Spurs rookie, saying, “He obviously is not afraid to put himself out there. He will take shots, and he is not afraid. He is not worried if he misses it or what the consequences are or anything like that. He likes those moments.”
Thunder Look To Bounce Back With Around 20 Games Before Playoffs

The San Antonio Spurs improved to 12-48 on the season while Chet Holmgren, who finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and one block after the game discussed losing to the current last place team in the Western Conference standings, saying, “It’s just another reminder that this is the NBA. No team is in the NBA for no reason. No player is in the NBA for no reason. Any team can beat another on any given night regardless of record or anything. They came out confident. Part of that was them, and part of that was us. We should be better in the next one.”
Wemby and Chet rank #1 and #2 in total blocks this season.
No pair of rookies has ever accomplished this.
OKC/SAS, 8:30pm/et, NBA App pic.twitter.com/Mg9U8XmAdD
— NBA (@NBA) February 29, 2024
The Thunder dropped a full game behind the first-place Minnesota Timberwolves in the West, falling to 41-18 on the season. Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 31 points alongside six rebounds and three assists, while 2nd-year stud Jalen Williams scored 26 points, grabbing six rebounds and dishing three assists. Still, Oklahoma City couldn’t keep up with the Spurs, especially from long range, making under 10 threes and shooting just 29% from deep.
Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren battled it out in San Antonio ⚔️
Wemby: 28 PTS, 13 REB, 5 BLK, W
Holmgren: 23 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST pic.twitter.com/XnX07Om1gP— NBA (@NBA) March 1, 2024
The last chance to view this tremendous young rivalry this season comes on April 10 in Oklahoma City, with the Thunder hosting the San Antonio Spurs as Holmgren and Wembanyama square off to add the final touches to their rookie resumes. The 2nd seeded Oklahoma City Thunder will head to Phoenix for a matchup against the Suns on Sunday night. The Spurs will stay in San Antonio to host the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night.
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