Chet Holmgren, who was a close contender for top honors last season, helped his team achieve the best record in the Western Conference and a playoff series win. Two of the league’s best young big men will clash for the first time this season when Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs face Holmgren’s Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night in Oklahoma City.
Last season, the Thunder won three out of four games against the Spurs. Wembanyama played in three of those games, averaging 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, including a standout 28-point, 13-rebound, seven-assist performance in late February that contributed to him winning the award unanimously. Holmgren averaged 14.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists against the Spurs last season.
This season, Wembanyama has shown some effects from a busy offseason, including playing for France in the Olympics. Through San Antonio’s 1-2 start, he’s averaging 20 points, 12 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.7 blocks, though he’s shooting just 22.2% from beyond the arc, down from last season’s 32.5%.
Holmgren has been impressive so far, averaging 23.7 points, 13 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 4.0 blocks, helping the Thunder start 3-0 for the first time since 2016. Despite a hectic schedule of three games in four days, Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault doesn’t plan to limit minutes for Holmgren or the Thunder’s other young core anytime soon.
The Thunder have won their three games by 15 or more points, though their offense has been inconsistent. They currently boast the best defensive rating in the league, allowing just 90.8 points per 100 possessions. However, they face limitations in the frontcourt with Isaiah Hartenstein (hand), Jaylin Williams (hamstring), and Kenrich Williams (knee) all out.
The Spurs will be without Tre Jones for the third consecutive game after he suffered a right ankle sprain in the opener. This matchup between two rising stars promises to be an exciting showdown.
