San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama told reporters after his incredible Game 1 performance that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander winning MVP fueled him Monday night.
"Yeah, for sure. Everything you just said," the Spurs star said when asked if he took losing out on the award personally.
Wembanyama finished third in MVP voting behind Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. He received just five first-place votes compared to Gilgeous-Alexander's 83.
Despite missing out on the NBA's top individual prize, Wembanyama outplayed Gilgeous-Alexander in Game 1, posting a stat line of 41 points, 24 rebounds, and three blocks in the Spurs' 122-115 double-overtime victory.
With San Antonio down three points in the first overtime frame with 27 seconds left, the third-year big man drilled a deep 3-pointer from the logo to tie the game. He went on to outscore Oklahoma City as a whole in the second overtime (9-7).
WEMBY, WOW!
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2026
WHAT A SHOT TO TIE THE GAME AT 108. pic.twitter.com/HELQUpxww7
Wembanyama joined David Robinson as just the second Spurs player in franchise history to produce a 40-20 stat line in a playoff game. He also became the youngest player in NBA history with at least 40 points and 20 boards in a postseason contest, a record Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had held since 1970.
"The message would be that we as a team are ready to go into any environment, any place against anybody," Wembanyama said when asked what message his performance sends. "Even though we've still got a lot to learn, our effort should be over anybody else's. Tonight, we were relentless."
With the win, the Spurs improved to 5-1 against the Thunder this season. Game 2 of the series takes place Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
