Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder ahead Chet Holmgren (7) chases the ball in entrance of San Antonio Spurs heart Victor Wembanyama throughout the first half of an NBA basketball recreation, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma Metropolis. (AP Picture/Nate Billings)
OKLAHOMA CITY— Chet Holmgren will get uninterested in addressing what he considers a manufactured rivalry with Victor Wembanyama, however he understands the hype.
Wembanyama is 7-foot-3, and Holmgren is 7-foot-1. Wembanyama was final 12 months’s Rookie of the 12 months for the San Antonio Spurs, and Holmgren was the runner-up for the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. Each have ballhandling abilities and taking pictures vary which might be unusually good for gamers with their top and size.
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That sort of storyline doubtlessly results in larger scores and extra followers in seats.
READ: Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren headline NBA All-Rookie crew
“The NBA is a enterprise,” Holmgren mentioned. “And the league has been constructed round gamers … It’s actually — it’s about getting folks to come back and watch the video games. And that’s one of many methods they do it — by promoting the gamers. So, I simply see it as a type of promoting.”
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Holmgren received the matchup on Wednesday. He scored 19 factors on 7-for-10 taking pictures to assist the Thunder defeat the Spurs 105-93.
Wembanyama was held to 6 factors on 1-for-5 taking pictures. He didn’t take a shot or rating within the second half.
Earlier than the sport, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich mentioned Wembanyama has improved since final 12 months, when he was additionally runner-up for Defensive Participant of the 12 months. He mentioned the 20-year-old turned extra assured this summer time whereas main France to a silver medal on the Olympics.
READ: NBA: Wembanyama lived as much as the hype. In 12 months 2, he needs extraAfter the sport, Popovich didn’t reply questions. He gave a two-minute assertion complimenting the Thunder and criticizing his crew’s effort.
Final season, Wembanyama turned simpler every time the Spurs performed the Thunder, and San Antonio’s outcomes improved, too.
Oklahoma Metropolis received the primary two matchups final season, however Wembanyama had 28 factors, 13 rebounds, seven assists and 5 blocks within the third, a 132-118 victory for San Antonio. Holmgren had 23 factors, seven rebounds and 5 assists in the identical recreation.
Wembanyama didn’t play within the fourth recreation, a runaway win for the Thunder, however he averaged 20 factors, 13 rebounds and three.8 blocks within the three he performed, setting the stage for the vitality stage on the Paycom Middle on Wednesday.
Wembanyama was booed loudly when launched with the starters -– proper earlier than ex-Oklahoma Metropolis participant Chris Paul was cheered.
After Wembanyama received the tip, the group acquired excited when the 2 would often match up instantly. There was a buzz within the first quarter when Holmgren dealt with the ball in opposition to Wembanyama earlier than lacking a pull-up jumper. Holmgren hit a pair of threes early whereas being guarded by different gamers.
The joy diminished because the matchup turned lopsided. Holmgren scored 15 factors within the first half whereas Wembanyama had six factors on 1-for-5 taking pictures and 6 rebounds.
After Oklahoma Metropolis took management, Wembanyama was benched for the ultimate 7:04 of the sport — an sudden finish for a participant who had averaged 20 factors and 12 rebounds via three video games.
When requested concerning the matchup after the sport, Holmgren sidestepped it.
“I take pleasure in each single day having the ability to get up, go play basketball, maintain my household doing it,” he mentioned. “It’s what I’ve at all times wished to do. That’s what I at all times need to do so long as I’m in a position to do it. And, you understand, that doesn’t change recreation to recreation. However it doesn’t matter what, it’s at all times going to be Thunder versus our opponent. I’m right here making an attempt to win basketball video games. And that’s what it’s going to be each single evening.”
