Victor Wembanyama turned in an all-time great performance in an instant-classic Game 1 of the Western Conference finals against the Thunder on Monday night. Wembanyama had 41 points, 24 rebounds, three assists and three blocks in a career-high 48 minutes and 42 seconds on the court. He controlled the game on both ends and shined while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played a ho-hum game after receving his second straight NBA MVP award right before tip-off.
While SGA took center court to pose for pictures with commissioner Adam Silver and enjoy a standing ovation from the home crowd, Wembanyama sat on the bench quietly. Teammate Stephon Castle sat down next to him briefly to whisper something, but for the most part Wemby kept his eyes forward, except when he appeared to turn his head just enough to sneak a peak at Gilgeous-Alexander as he was given the trophy and held it up for the crowd.
