NBA fans are in for a treat on Tuesday night. For the first time in their NBA careers, Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama will face off against each other when the Thunder play the Spurs in the NBA’s in-season tournament.
It’s the beginning of what looks like could be a budding rivalry in the NBA that will carry the league through the next decade-plus.
Of course, both Holmgren and Wembanyama have downplayed any sort of brewing contention between the two of them. Chet says he’s more focused on getting a win over the Spurs — not just Wembanyama. Wemby says the two of them have no relationship at all at this point.
But, man. The seeds have been planted. The course has been laid out. This is happening, folks. I guarantee you.
All we have to do is look at the history between the two of them and it’s as clear as day. This is going to be the league’s biggest rivalry for years to come.
Wait, so this is a rivalry?
Not necessarily. Especially not at this point. There’s no real personal contention between these two at this point. And there’s especially no beef. Everyone should know that.
But these two will stand in each other’s way for a long time. The connections are easy to make.
They’re both extremely tall big men with guard skills who have some similar games. Of course, Wembanyama plays forward mostly while Holmgren plays center. But the similarities are there.
Plus, they’re both rookies this season thanks to an unfortunate injury for Holmgren last year. They’re chasing the same Rookie of the Year trophy. And their numbers through 10 games are pretty similar.
Chet Holmgren (OKC) and Victor Wembanyama (SAS) meet in the regular season and NBA In-Season Tournament for the first time tonight.
The two rookies are the first players in 30 years to have at least 150 points, 75 rebounds, 25 assists & 20 blocks in their first 10 career games. pic.twitter.com/d2kQDACU10
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) November 14, 2023
It’s just there, man.
But isn't this kind of random? Did any of that exist before?
No, it’s not random. These two have followed each other’s games for years. They played against one another in the FIBA U19 World Cup Final in July of 2021.
Losing to Holmgren and fouling out in the final game is the “worst memory” of Victor Wembanyama’s basketball life so far, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
Here’s more:
It is only the worst basketball memory of Wembanyama’s life — “Just thinking about it makes my jaw clench,” he has said — and one of the great accomplishments of Holmgren’s. Though he didn’t play exceptionally by his standards in the championship game — Holmgren had 10 points and five assists — the American player was named the tournament’s MVP and returned for his freshman year at Gonzaga with a gold medal. Wembanyama had put up 22 points with eight rebounds and eight blocks before having to watch the final minutes from the bench.
That’s where this all starts.
Wow, so there's something there, huh?
It seems like it. We even saw a bit of a competitive streak between the two of them in the NBA preseason where they matched up for the first time — albeit in a game that doesn’t matter.
Holmgren finished with 21 points, 9 rebounds and a block in just 16 minutes.
Highlights of Oklahoma City Thunder big man Chet Holmgren in his NBA Preseason Debut
Holmgren would finish with 21 PTS & 9 REB in just 16 MIN while shooting 7/10 from the field and 2/2 from 3#NBA | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/jXFz9MKF8n
— No Ceilings (@NoCeilingsNBA) October 10, 2023
Wembanyama had 20 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals and a block. He made incredible plays like this one.
Wemby shows he's ready for the spotlight!
The No. 1 pick announced his presence in his #NBAPreseason debut with 20 points 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dywgF1B7Pn
— NBA (@NBA) October 10, 2023
Chet also chided Wemby for what he thought was an offensive foul but got called as an and-one.
The headbutt is an unstoppable move fasho😂😂🤝 https://t.co/Oaz7Mz8f57
— chet holmgren (@ChetHolmgren) October 10, 2023
It was two Kaiju going up against each other on the basketball court. Just epic stuff.
OK, fine. They play each other hard. But can we really call this a rivalry?
Maybe it’s not quite to the point of a rivalry yet. This isn’t Magic vs. Bird or anything like that.
These two don’t hate each other — they don’t have to. That isn’t what makes a rivalry. It’s the competition that does. And given how much these two are going to see one another and the competitive streaks they have as players, it’s easy to see things heading in that direction.
If it does, it’ll be great for the league. This could be the headlining matchup we see in the Western Conference for years to come. That’s a great place for the league to be.
I can’t wait to watch every moment.
