Victor Wembanyama throws shade at $250 million OKC star and ‘won’t even say his name’

The San Antonio Spurs dominated the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.

The NBA champions could not match the physicality of the hosts as the Spurs picked up their second win in ten days over their foes before they face them again on Christmas Day.

Getty

These gams between the two sides are often thrillers, and it’s undeniable now that it’s becoming some sort of a rivalry.

“It feels like saying it’s a rivalry would be a weird thing because it’s something that builds naturally,” center Victor Wembanyama said.

“I didn’t say that it’s impossible that it can be [a rivalry] in the future. I hope it will be soon. But we’re definitely getting closer.

“They’re going to be locked in [on Christmas] more than any time before, probably. It’s a resourceful team, but we’re going to be there too.”

Wembanyama came off the bench and put up 12 points as he continues on his road to recovery.

Wembanyama dismisses Holmgren comparison

During the game, Wemby and Chet Holmgren enjoyed another intense battle.

There was even a point in the game where Holmgren was swatted aside by the Alien, causing the American to fall on the floor before he was called for a foul.

With the French superstar listed at 7-foot-4 and Holmgren being 7-foot-1, there’s already one glaring similarity between the two giants.

However, when asked if he sees any comparisons between himself and Holmgren, Wembayama shut down the question.

“No, I don’t think about that,” he said per L’Equipe’s Maxime Aubin.

Getty

Getty

“At least from a basketball standpoint, there’s no comparison.”

Wembanyama’s comments went viral, and, coupled with the way he attacked Holmgren on the court, have led to some fans concluding there must be some sort of bad blood.

“Wemby HATES Chet Holmgren,” one fan declared.

“Very obvious Holmgren is not rated by Wemby at all,” another said.

“He’s basically saying don’t ever mention us in the same sentence,” a third word.

It should be noted that Wembanyama and Holmgren have, according to ESPN, shared a frosty relationship since the pair first met at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup championship.

Wembanaya’s French squad lost to Team USA in that game, and the animosity is real to the extent that the Frenchman “won’t even say his name”, Michael C. Wright of ESPN claimed last year.

These two teams have the opportunity to create a new NBA rivalry, but that could take years.

“The signs are the arena is packed, the energy is different, the physicality from the first to the 48th minutes is up there,” Wembanyama said when asked about the intensity of the games between the two teams.

“It’s hard to describe, but it’s like [in soccer] when PSG plays Marseille in France. This is a real rivalry. It’s something that’s built [over] years and years. It’s not something you can just make up like this.

“It doesn’t take away that it’s a good matchup. But it takes a lot.”

Stay up to date with the latest from the NBA across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.