Victor Wembanyama sets record in Thunder’s growing rivalry

While NBA fans can’t wait to call San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder new major league rivalry, Victor Vembanyama tells everyone to pump the brakes. Wembanyama and Spurs win against Thunder ended a historic streak of 16 victories in the NBA Cup semi-finals. They handed the defending champions only their second loss of the season.

From meat he says it’s still early for the 18-7 Spurs, who improved to the fifth-best record in the Western Conference, to be considered a threat to the Thunder, he explained, per Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.

“I don’t think we’re quite there yet … it’s not like we’re second seed right now,” Vembanyama said. “They are at their level, but in the future, if we reach that level, it would be great to have a rivalry.”

Vembanjama and the up-and-coming Spurs arrived sooner than expected, as their first- and second-year guards — Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper — have shown exponential growth this season. Led by veterans like starters De’Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson, the Spurs’ dynamic two-way approach can keep pace with the defending champions.

Victor Wembanyama, Spurs beat Thunder in NBA Cup semi-finals

Spurs All-Star Victor Wembanyama knows how important it is to beat the Thunderbut he knows his team is far from reaching its full potential this season. For Vembanyama, he hopes Saturday’s NBA Cup victory against the Thunder is just the beginning of the Spurs’ leap toward the upper echelon of the Western Conference standings.

“I think it’s our first time playing everybody,” Victor Wembanyama said after the Spurs’ win over the Thunder. “My thoughts are just that we’re already a solid team, already over 20 games ago. It’s just experience. We’re just figuring it out. The difference with us and this team that’s, I don’t know, how many are 24-2? It’s that we haven’t had this many repetitions, recognizing what it takes and enjoying what it takes to win.

“This is our next step. Because this OKC team, they are not only the first in the league, they are far ahead of everyone. Because when you watch them, regardless of who, whether it is the 12th player or the starting five, whether they are playing against the 15th seed or in any game, they play the same way. They make them enjoy the next step, and we enjoy the little things,” Vembanyama concluded.

The Spurs will face the Knicks in the NBA Cup Finals on Tuesday.