Wemby phone home!
Victor Wembanyama is headed to his first NBA Finals after the San Antonio Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder111-103 in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals on Saturday, May 30. The Alien had 22 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists in the outing.
The 22-year-old was visibly emotional as the clock ran out on the road game at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. He tucked his face into his jersey and pumped his fists before giving hugs to teammates De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Julian Champagnie.
Wembanyama, who won the Defensive Player of the Year in the regular season, was named the Western Conference finals Most Valuable Player. His emotions continued throughout the night.
THE BUZZER SOUNDS IN OKC.
WEMBY AND THE SPURS WILL FACE THE KNICKS IN THE 2026 NBA FINALS 🚨
Game 1: Wednesday, June 3 at 8:30pm/et on ABC pic.twitter.com/oyEYX3MrzO
— NBA (@NBA) May 31, 2026
WEMBY GETS THE JOB DONE IN GAME 7.
HE WILL MAKE HIS FIRST NBA FINALS APPEARANCE IN THE 2026 NBA FINALS 🚨 pic.twitter.com/lDr3qGuPw9
— NBA (@NBA) May 31, 2026
ESPN reporter Anthony Slater captured two full minutes of Wembanyama celebrating.
Here is two minutes of an extremely emotional Victor Wembanyama celebrating the aftermath of a conference finals elimination of the Thunder. Advances to his first Finals five months after his 22nd birthday. pic.twitter.com/T21ZdAKjaS
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 31, 2026
“Winning the Larry O’Brien is a childhood dream,” he choked out words to reporters after the game. “And having a real shot at it, having tangible chance at winning it, realizing a dream, it’s a lifetime chance. You never know when it’s going to happen again. But the day we win it, speaking for myself, it’s going to be an amazing day of the realization of a dream. It’s hard to put into words. It’s almost like the meaning of my life.”
But the center made sure to acknowledge that he isn’t reaching the NBA Finals on his own.
“It’s an unreal chance. My life is amazing and being with these guys, living these things with these guys that I love so, so, so much, it’s amazing,” he continued. “I want to have this feeling plenty, plenty more times in my life.”
The win came the same day as Wembanyama’s favorite soccer team, Paris Saint-Germain, won back-to-back Champions League titles with a penalty shootout victory over Arsenal.
Frances Tiafoe, who won his third-round match at Roland Garros just an hour before the Game 7 tipoff, sent well wishes to the center from his home country.
Wembanyama has had a dominant playoff run, including swatting a record 12 blocks in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals and becoming the youngest player to notch 40+ points and 20+ rebounds in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.
There is so much hype around Wemby that even Wendy’s considered changing their name and menu to honor the rising star.
The Spurs will face the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals. Game 1 tips off on Wednesday, June 3 in San Antonio.
Contributing: Lorenzo Reyes
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Victor Wembanyama was emotional after Spurs beat Thunder in Game 7