AP Photo/Sarah Phipps
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama showed exactly why he’s the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft in his preseason debut against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The 19-year-old forward scored 20 points in just 19 minutes, plus 5 rebounds and 2 steals. The 7-foot-3 French phenom went 8-13 from the field, including 2-5 from beyond the arc.
Thunder forward Chet Holmgren also made his preseason debut, scoring 21 points and grabbing nine rebounds in 16 minutes, hitting seven of 10 field goals. He also hit both of his three-point attempts.
The 2022 No. 2 overall pick missed his entire rookie season due to a right foot injury in the offseason before his first year.
Oklahoma City ultimately won 122-121.
Fans were drawn to the battle for the No. 1 pick, with each player showing off the ballhandling and shooting abilities that made them such an enticing prospect.
Bleacher Report @Bleacher Report
Winby’s first dunk in NBA career🔥 pic.twitter.com/aiwPUdUVGe
Bleacher Report @Bleacher Report
Wenbi with -1 then flexed on Chet 😳 pic.twitter.com/GMHphvjayH
NBA on @NBA
Chet bends and hits Shedeur 🔥 pic.twitter.com/7GkJWDwUXV
NBA @NBA
Wenbi said no⛔️
…for the first of many times.
Watch live on NBA TV:https://t.co/htyakZeFve pic.twitter.com/FF1EkDJ0WB
The Spurs’ next preseason game is Friday night against the Miami Heat at 7:30 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City will face the Detroit Pistons on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.
