Why Victor Wembanyama’s clutch 3-pointer is drawing eerily similar comparisons to Steph Curry’s 2016 shot vs. OKC originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Victor Wembanyama did things that only he can do to stun the Oklahoma City Thunder home crowd on Monday night.
As the San Antonio Spurs stole Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on the road, Wembanyama was unreal, dropping 41 points, 24 rebounds, three assists and three blocks to put his squad up 1-0. The star center hit just one 3-pointer — but it was simultaneously the boldest and clutchest shot of the evening.
To eventually force double-overtime, Wembanyama connected on a three from near the “OKC” logo — territory that instantly reminded fans of one of the most ridiculous clutch shots of Stephen Curry’s career.
Here’s a look at Wembanyama’s huge three vs. the Thunder and why it drew Curry comparisons.
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Victor Wembanyama 3-point shot vs. Thunder 2026
San Antonio and Oklahoma City were already putting on a classic by the time the first overtime period was coming to a close. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was heating back up after a slow start, and the Thunder had a 108-105 advantage with around 30 seconds remaining.
Wembanyama, with a “two-for-one” chance to get a quick shot up and keep the Spurs in it, didn’t let his team settle for two points. After letting Stephon Castle bring the ball up the floor, Castle fed him right back, and Wembanyama launched from the border of the “OKC” logo on the court.
Completely uncontested, he drained it, tying the game at 108 and silencing the Oklahoma City crowd.
WEMBY, WOW!
WHAT A SHOT TO TIE THE GAME AT 108. pic.twitter.com/HELQUpxww7
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2026
With the Spurs going on to win 122-115 in double-overtime, it was that Wembanyama 3-pointer that left fans in amazement during his 40-20 performance.
STILL NOT OVER THIS SHOT 😭
WHO WAS WEMBY FEELING LIKE?? pic.twitter.com/412oW4W8bM
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 19, 2026
VICTOR WEMBANYAMA FROM THE LOGO FOR THE TIE
THIS GAME IS UNBELIEVABLE
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/BBfecSdajs
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 19, 2026
Wemby Man…. Unbelievable! 💪🏽
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) May 19, 2026
Wemby
Wow
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) May 19, 2026
Wemby shot from here with the game on the line man
What the hell pic.twitter.com/QAcRm1HVTo
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini) May 19, 2026
His teammate, Keldon Johnson, even compared it to a “Call of Duty” kill streak.
“If you ever play Call of Duty, and you get a 25 kill streak, it felt like he dropped a nuke down on the court. It was crazy, that was a big time shot,” Johnson said.
Keldon Johnson on the insane game-tying 3 by Wemby:
“If you ever play Call of Duty, and you get a 25 kill streak, it felt like he dropped a nuke down on the court.
It was crazy, that was a big time shot.”
😭😭😭#GoSpursGo#PorVidahttps://t.co/EQv7JCEztapic.twitter.com/rncWXKRELR
— Wemby Alien Era (@WembyAlienEra) May 19, 2026
MORE:How Victor Wembanyama made 40-20 NBA playoff history
Steph Curry 3-point shot vs. Thunder 2016
Ten years ago, although it was in a regular season game and not the Western Conference Finals, Curry left Thunder fans just as stunned in a Saturday prime-time matchup.
Tied at 118 as the overtime period was set to expire, Curry launched a 3-pointer from the logo — a similar area to Wembanyama’s launch on Monday — with a defender in the area, making it with 0.6 seconds remaining.
Mike Breen’s “double-bang” call became famous, and the shot, which came right in the middle of Curry’s 2015-16 MVP candidacy, went down as one of the Warriors star’s all-time best.
Wemby really made the SAME SHOT in the SAME BUILDING as Steph a decade ago 🤯
Both in overtime too 😮
(h/t @WorldWideWob)#nba#basketball#spurs#wemby#currypic.twitter.com/laXNcSt0qr
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 19, 2026
MORE: Where Victor Wembanyama ranks among best remaining players in NBA playoffs