‘Wakanda’ Victor Wembanyama’s 33-Point Night Forces OKC to Quit Game 4 Early

Victor Wembanyama and his San Antonio Spurs came out with a mission to avoid the Oklahoma City Thunder extending the series lead.

‘Wakanda’ Victor Wembanyama’s 33-Point Night Forces OKC to Quit Game 4 Early

Victor Wembanyama was on a mission in Game 4 (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Victor Wembanyama scored 33 points in Game 4, leading the Spurs to a decisive victory.
  • His half-court buzzer-beater before halftime demoralized the Oklahoma City Thunder.
  • The Thunder pulled their starters after Wembanyama's powerful slam dunk sealed the game.

In Game 1, the world came to know what Victor Wembanyama could do after his exceptional 41-point, 24-rebound left everyone’s jaw on the floor.

Usual basketball fans were already aware of the 7’4″ center’s talent, but playoff basketball tends to bring in a larger crowd. When those millions more tuned in, they saw the ‘Alien’ proving others around him were mere human beings.

However, in the next two games, the Oklahoma City Thunder seemingly put the ‘Alien’ in chains. Box score numbers suggested he played well, but it was not well enough to lead his Spurs to avoid losing the Western Conference Finals lead.

When Game 4 came around, everyone, from fans and analysts, knew the Spurs faced a do-or-die situation. Lose this battle at home, and they would almost be done for the year.

Wakanda.

Victor Wembanama said

This is what Wembanyama yelled at his teammates after enacting the late Chadwick Boseman‘s cross-armed gesture from the movie Black Panther.

It seems he wanted to feel the unobtanium in his body, as the lanky Frenchman knew that he and his teammates would need its amazing agility to avoid falling for the foul-baiting antics of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

They would also need the fantasy metal’s strength if the likes of Victor Wembanyama had to regain the form that led some to label him as Michael Jordan-esque.

1st quarter score
1st quarter score (Image via SS/NBA)

Thankfully, his hope came to fruition. The lanky center dominated the proceedings early on, where he scored 11 points in the first quarter to send his Spurs into a 15-point lead.

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Victor Wembanyama’s half-court buzzer-beater breaks OKC

That was just the start of Victor Wembanyama’s return to his Game 1 form. From that point onwards, not only did he continue his hot-scoring run, but he also literally rose to the occasion when needed.

When the clock showed 5.1 seconds remaining in the second quarter, the Oklahoma City Thunder had clawed back from the early 15-point deficit to now trail by less than double digits.

On the inbounds pass, the away team tried to impose its defense by narrowing the Spurs’ passing and running lanes. They knew a half-time shot could undo their work, both box-score-wise and even psychologically.

They tried to slow Victor Wembanyama before he reached the midway point using the same technique. But then, the 22-year-old broke out his ball-handling skills and created some separation.

As soon as he felt it was enough, he pulled up and shot from the halfway point. Stunningly, the ball went in, leaving the Spurs fans inside Frost Bank Center into a rapturous roar.

This was a serious psychological blow, as generally, players need to heave it from that distance. But the phenom did it as if he were shooting in practice. The looks on the OKC players’ faces said it all.

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Thunder pull starters after Victor Wembanyama puts finishing touches

The Oklahoma City Thunder is the most experienced team remaining in the playoffs when it comes to winning a championship. They know how to forget and move on when it matters. But sometimes, it is hard to do, especially when the opponents are on a mission.

Victor Wembanyama defending a shot
Victor Wembanyama defending a shot (Image via Spurs/X)

That demoralizing half-court buzzer beater may have been the first blow, but the job was not done. In Game 3, OKC clamped down on the Spurs, which saw them lose a game that was in their hands.

The home team decided not to repeat that mistake and came out in the second half with guns blazing. After several highlight-reel-worthy plays, the final nail in the coffin came when Wembanyama finished with a powerful one-handed slam dunk.

Stephon Castle‘s behind-the-back pass at the 10-minute mark led to this finish, and it was the play that forced Thunder head coach Mike Daigneault to throw in the towel and pull his starters. He knew the game was out of their hands.

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