How Victor Wembanyama made 40-20 history in brilliant Game 1 performance vs. Thunder originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
In all likelihood, there are countless playoff games in Victor Wembanyama's future. It's possible few will be better than Monday's performance in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, regardless of how great he becomes.
Wembanyama willed the Spurs to a win on the road, taking over in the second overtime of an instant classic and sealing a victory over the defending champions with a late dunk and a block.
The 22-year-old did something he's only done once before in his career, posting a 40-20 game and doing so while still making a constant impact on the defensive end.
Here's a complete look at Wembanyama's Game 1 performance and how it made history.
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Victor Wembanyama stats vs. Thunder
The Spurs earned a 122-115 win in double overtime, stealing Game 1 on the road.
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PTS: 41
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REB: 24
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AST: 3
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BLK: 3
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STL: 1
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TOV: 3
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FG: 14-25
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3PT: 1-2
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FT: 12-13
Wembanyama finished with 41 points, 24 rebounds and three blocks in Monday's win, shooting 14-of-25 from the floor and putting up 41 points despite only attempting two 3-pointers.
Wembanyama's one made 3-pointer was one of the most impactful shots of his life, as he pulled up from long range to tie the game late in the first overtime period. Those were the final three points of the first overtime and gave the Spurs new life after it looked as though Alex Caruso's brilliance would push the Thunder to a win.
It was the second 40-20 game of Wembanyama's NBA career and first since his rookie season, when he put up exactly 40 points and 20 rebounds in an overtime win over the Knicks. As far as playoff games go, performances like Wembanyama have been few and far between.
MORE: Where Victor Wembanyama ranks among best remaining players in NBA playoffs
40-20 games in the NBA playoffs
While 40-20 games were a bit more common during Wilt Chamberlain's day, Wembanyama is still the youngest player to record a 40-20 game in NBA playoff history. At 22 years and less than five months, Wembanyama comes in ahead of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who put up 46 points and 25 rebounds at 22 years and 11 months in 1974.
Wembanyama is only the sixth player to record a 40-20 game in the playoffs since the bracket expanded to 16 teams in 1984. Here are the rest:
Player
Points
Rebounds
Date
Opponent
Victor Wembanyama
41
24
May 18, 2026
Thunder
Nikola Jokic
42
22
May 5, 2025
Thunder
Giannis Antetokounmpo
44
20
May 13, 2022
Celtics
Shaquille O'Neal
44
20
June 6, 2001
76ers
Shaquille O'Neal
43
20
May 8, 2001
Kings
Shaquille O'Neal
44
21
May 6, 2001
Kings
Charles Barkley
44
24
June 5, 1993
Sonics
Hakeem Olajuwon
41
26
April 30, 1988
Mavericks
Hakeem Olajuwon
49
25
May 14, 1987
Sonics
With 24 rebounds, Wembanyama came within two of the modern NBA playoff record of 26, held by Hakeem Olajuwon, Dwight Howard and, of course, Bismack Biyombo.
