‘Monk’ Victor Wembanyama Thanks the ‘Basketball Gods’ After Forcing Game 7

Victor Wembanyama was at his imperious best in Game 6 of the WCF.

‘Monk’ Victor Wembanyama Thanks the ‘Basketball Gods’ After Forcing Game 7

Victor Wembanyama (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • Victor Wembanyama led the San Antonio Spurs to a 118-91 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6, forcing a Game 7.
  • He recorded a game-high 28 points, 10 rebounds, and set a record for the most points scored by a center in a playoff debut.
  • Reggie Miller compared Wembanyama's potential to that of Stephen Curry, sensing greatness in his early career.

Victor Wembanyama was back to his best in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night. The San Antonio Spurs’ win has forced a Game 7 in Oklahoma City.

It was a dominant display from the Spurs right from tip-off. They came all guns blazing, and the game was out of reach for the Thunder by the fourth quarter. In the end, the Spurs registered a comfortable 118-91 victory at the Frost Bank Center. After the win, Wembanyama was happy with the way his team played in Game 6.

I think we were consistent and we did what we needed to do… [we] trusted the basketball Gods.

Victor Wembanyama in his post match press conference

Despite the big win, Victor Wembanyama kept his response short. He was given a warning from the league for not speaking to the media after his poor performance in Game 5.

After putting up his worst performance of the series in his previous game, Wembanyama came into Game 6 with a positive body language. He was pumped from the beginning of the match and dominated on both ends of the court.

He came under some criticism in Game 5 for bumping shoulders with Chet Holmgren, and some questioned his intentions in getting Bismack Biyombo and Mason Plumlee to hard foul Jared McCain. But the French star was in no mood for such things on Thursday night.

It was a must-win game for the Spurs as they were on the brink of elimination. This will be the first Game 7 in the Western Conference this year. It was the most hyped matchup heading into the playoffs, and it has lived up to the hype so far.

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Victor Wembanyama sets another NBA playoff record

Victor Wembanyama had no intention of letting his 2025-26 campaign end on Thursday. He bounced back strongly after his shocking Game 5 performance. While some felt he may be feeling the strains of the postseason, he showed no signs of fatigue in Game 6.

In Game 6, the Spurs center recorded another double-double in the playoffs as he scored a game-high 28 points to go along with 10 rebounds, two steals, and three blocks. It was an all-round performance from the Frenchman when it mattered the most.

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

Wembanyama has already broken a few records in his first-ever playoffs. He broke another record in Game 6. He set the record for the most points scored by a center in a first playoff run.

The record was first set by the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the 1969-70 season. He scored 352 points in his postseason debut, while Wembanyama now has 372 points. With at least another game to be played, Wembanyama will be looking to breach the 400-point mark.

Victor Wembanyama gives the same aura as Stephen Curry

When Victor Wembanyama was drafted into the NBA as the number one pick, he was set to dominate the league for years to come. In just his third season, he has taken the Spurs to their first Conference Finals in nine years. The excitement and impact he brings to the game could be compared to Stephen Curry.

Hall of Famer Reggie Miller said he feels the same aura around Wembanyama that he felt around Curry early in Curry’s career.

You just got a sense that there was greatness on the horizon. You couldn’t see it but you could sense it. And I sensed it in him because his conviction was so strong. Fast forward to today, he’s the greatest shooter of our game and the records that he holds. But I could sense it then very much in the way I’m sensing it with Victor now.

Reggie Miller on The Athletic

Wembanyama’s ceiling is limitless. The NBA has never seen a player like Wembanyama before, and he has the potential to revolutionize the league just like Curry did over the last decade.

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