In the left corner, Chet Holmgren, 21 points and 9 rebounds in 16 minutes. In the right corner, Victor Wembanyama, 20 points and 5 rebounds in 19 minutes. Result: victory for the Thunder.
This is a quick and partial summary of the preseason match between Oklahoma City and San Antonio, but quite obvious to draw up because the two rookies (Chet Holmgren missed his first season, injured) put on a show and attracted all the eyes. Even if they did not directly defend each other during the meeting.
“I think I did a really good job, like Victor, of understanding that it wasn’t just a duel between the two of us.”however commented the Thunder player for The Oklahoman. “If we want a show between us, it has to be in a friendly match during the summer. »
Next meeting in the regular season
A pre-season match was perfect to resume their duel where it had left off, in July 2021. The two giants (2m22 for the Frenchman, 2m13 for the American) then crossed swords in the final of the U19 World Cup . Team USA won with 10 points for the future Thunder player, MVP of the competition, and 22 points for the first choice in the 2023 Draft.
“It was a very good match”remembers Chet Holmgren, who admitted at the time to closely observing his young opponent and his “incredible body”.
The third episode of this emerging “rivalry” will arrive in the regular season on November 14 in Oklahoma City, the first of four matches between the two teams this season. The paths of Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama seem linked for a while and the two could provide us with superb clashes for several years.
“I plan to play for a long time and I’m sure he does too,” book the first mentioned. “There will be no other choice than to meet regularly. I enjoyed this meeting and I look forward to the future. »
