Before Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Monday, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander celebrated his second consecutive MVP award, while Victor Wembanyama watched from the sidelines, taking it personally. Wembanyama responded with a historic performance, scoring 41 points and grabbing 24 rebounds, making him the youngest player in postseason history to achieve such numbers, even in a double overtime thriller.

Wemby showcased incredible efficiency, shooting 14 for 25 from the field and 12 of 13 from the free-throw line. His dominance was evident as he attacked the paint relentlessly and even nailed a logo 3-pointer to tie the game in overtime.

Despite the Oklahoma City Thunder throwing multiple defenders at him, including Isaiah Hartenstein, Jalen Williams, and Lu Dort, none could contain Wembanyama, who particularly enjoyed punishing Chet Holmgren. The animosity between the two was palpable, with Wemby visibly celebrating Holmgren's missed free throws during their regular-season matchups. Their rivalry has evolved, with Wembanyama now firmly establishing himself as the superior player.

Holmgren, once a Rookie of the Year runner-up to Wemby, struggled significantly, averaging just 10.5 points on 38.7% shooting in four regular-season games against the Spurs. In Game 1, he managed only two field goals in 41 minutes, leaving him with a disappointing minus-7 plus-minus rating. His performance, underwhelming by any standard, raised concerns about the Thunder's ability to compete against San Antonio, especially as they have lost five of their last six matchups.

While Holmgren did manage a late block on Wembanyama, it was too little too late. Social media erupted with jokes about his performance, and even former NBA player Boogie Cousins criticized him for not stepping up in a crucial moment. The gap between Wemby and Holmgren has never been wider, leading to questions about OKC's title defense prospects.