With Victor Wembanyama leading the way, the San Antonio Spurs have one of the best rookies this season. One of the best rookies in recent memory, for that matter. However, he doesn’t have the Rookie of the Year award wrapped up. That’s because Oklahoma City Thunder big man Chet Holmgren is also playing incredibly well.
The Thunder were in town on Wednesday night to take on Wembanyama’s Spurs, and the two rookies battled it out. Oklahoma City earned the win by a score of 140-114, as the two squads are in very different places in terms of competitiveness, but it was still a fun showing from both youngsters.
After the game, Holmgren had a message for Wembanyama, giving him props but noting that it’s a team game and there’s more to it than a one-on-one battle.
“All credit to Vic,” Holmgren said via ESPN. “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 versus Spurs.”
Wembanyama ended the game with 24 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and four blocks while shooting 9-of-18 from the field and 0-of-3 from behind the three-point line.
As for Holmgren, he finished the night with 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists, one steal, and three blocks while shooting 7-of-13 from the floor and 2-of-4 from beyond the three-point arc.
Both rookies have long, promising careers ahead of them.
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