‘The focus is Thunder vs. Spurs’: Chet Holmgren downplays rivalry with Victor Wembanyama

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s 140-114 win over the San Antonio Spurs featured fireworks typically not associated with the average blowout contest.

That’s because the actual game was in the background for most of the national audience’s minds. The real main event was seeing Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama duke it out.

The two rookie seven-foot centers headline this year’s rookie class and will battle it out for the Rookie of the Year award. Considering their similar figures and playing styles, expect both to continue to be compared to each other for their entire careers.

An inconsequential fourth quarter finally provided the sparks most fans hoped for. Holmgren and Wembanyama exchanged jabs and buckets before both were pulled with a little under seven minutes left in the game.

Holmgren finished with 17 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Wembanyama had 24 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks.

When asked about Wembanyama after the game, Holmgren downplayed the budding rivalry, stating he was more focused on the Thunder collecting the win over the lowly Spurs.

“All credit to Vic,” Holmgren said. “Obviously, a great player, very, very talented — even at an early stage in his career. But I can’t let that matchup take away from what the job was tonight and that was trying to win a basketball game. Thunder vs. Spurs…

“Obviously that’s the headline that you guys have. That’s what ESPN is promoting, that’s what the NBA is promoting — and rightfully so. Vic’s a great player. I think I have a long way to go in this league.

“I plan to be a great player and play a long time. But that doesn’t take away from what the focus is — and the focus is Thunder vs. Spurs.”

Holmgren’s diplomatic response shouldn’t be shocking — it’s how he’s historically handled being asked about the comparisons. Even if both parties play nice off the court, it’s evident they don’t on it.

The fourth quarter featured the back-and-forth action between the two generational centers many wanted to see. Both players will likely have several more chances to settle the score as they’re in the infant stages of their careers.