"I want to get that trophy many times" - Wemby steals spotlight from SGA’s MVP night

Alta Sportsa day ago · 531 views

"I want to get that trophy many times" - Wemby steals spotlight from SGA’s MVP night image

Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images

By Rafael Bandayrel

Victor Wembanyama may not have won the National Basketball Association (NBA) MVP award, but he made sure to steal the spotlight on the same night Shai Gilgeous-Alexander received the honor.

The San Antonio Spurs star dominated with 41 points and 24 rebounds to lead the Spurs to a massive Game 1 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, 122-115, in the Western Conference Finals.

Wembanyama also delivered the biggest moment of the night. With San Antonio trailing late in overtime, the 7-foot-4 phenom knocked down a clutch three-pointer to tie the game, effectively forcing double overtime and helping the Spurs eventually pull away.

Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander struggled despite officially being crowned league MVP earlier in the night. The Thunder superstar finished with 24 points on just 7-of-23 shooting from the field.

After the game, Wembanyama admitted the MVP result gave him extra motivation.

“Yeah, for sure,” Wembanyama said when asked if he took Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP win personally. “Feels like I still got a lot to learn. And I want to get that trophy many times in my career.”

The performance felt like a statement from the young Spurs superstar, who looked determined to prove he belongs in the conversation as the NBA’s next dominant player.

Wembanyama also praised San Antonio’s mentality after stealing homecourt advantage from the defending champions.

“The message would be that we as a team are ready to go in any environment, in any place, against anybody,” Wembanyama said. “And even though we still got a lot to learn, our effort should be over anybody else’s. And tonight we were relentless.”

On a night meant to celebrate Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP season, it was Wembanyama who ended up owning the moment.

All comments 87

Ret Fird

Wemby is the real MVP! 👍

an hour agoReply

penano jaimaca

Alien is the real deal 🥰🥰🥰

2 hours agoReply

Vic Raymund Morales Litang

Congrats Wemby

6 hours agoReply

Astro Grey Colo

Victor Wembanyama really wanted to become MVP. It's fine because he is in his 3rd year. Maybe next year he will become MVP and DPY and also the Finals MVP. Good luck always wemby.

6 hours agoReply

PapaJun Domingo S. Santos III

Alien is the real deal 🥰🥰🥰

6 hours agoReply