Wembanyama Leads Spurs to Double-Overtime Win Over Thunder in Game 1

Victor Wembanyama delivered a historic performance Monday night, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 122-115 double-overtime victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals. The 7-foot-4 rookie scored 41 points and grabbed 24 rebounds in a career-high 49 minutes, a playoff feat achieved by only a handful of players in NBA history.

The win came on the road against the defending champion Thunder, who had been unbeaten in the first two rounds of the playoffs. The Spurs, playing without injured point guard DeAaron Fox, were considered underdogs. They nearly surrendered a 10-point fourth-quarter lead, but Wembanyama’s clutch play forced overtime and ultimately secured the win.

His most critical shot was a deep three-pointer late in the first overtime that tied the game. He finished the night shooting 14 for 25 from the field and 12 for 13 from the free-throw line, adding three blocks and altering numerous other shots. The Spurs dominated the boards, outrebounding the Thunder 61-40.

The game was preceded by a ceremony where Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander received his second consecutive Most Valuable Player award, an honor Wembanyama has openly...