OKC's Holmgren gets the best of San Antonio's Wembanyama in latest matchup between young 7-footers

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Chet Holmgren gets tired of addressing what he considers a manufactured rivalry pinch Victor Wembanyama, but he understands nan hype.

Wembanyama is 7-foot-3, and Holmgren is 7-foot-1. Wembanyama was past year's Rookie of nan Year for nan San Antonio Spurs, and Holmgren was nan runner-up for nan Oklahoma City Thunder. Both person ballhandling skills and shooting scope that are unusually bully for players pinch their tallness and length.

That benignant of storyline perchance leads to higher ratings and much fans successful seats.

“The NBA is simply a business,” Holmgren said. “And nan convention has been built astir players ... It’s really -- it’s astir getting group to travel and watch nan games. And that’s 1 of nan ways they do it -- by advertizing nan players. So, I conscionable spot it arsenic a shape of advertising.”

Holmgren won nan matchup connected Wednesday. He scored 19 points connected 7-for-10 shooting to thief nan Thunder defeat nan Spurs 105-93.

Wembanyama was held to six points connected 1-for-5 shooting. He did not return a changeable aliases people successful nan 2nd half.

Before nan game, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Wembanyama has improved since past year, erstwhile he was besides runner-up for Defensive Player of nan Year. He said nan 20-year-old became much assured this summertime while leading France to a metallic medal astatine nan Olympics.

After nan game, Popovich didn't reply questions. He gave a two-minute connection complimenting nan Thunder and criticizing his team's effort.

Last season, Wembanyama became much effective each clip nan Spurs played nan Thunder, and San Antonio's results improved, too.

Oklahoma City won nan first 2 matchups past season, but Wembanyama had 28 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 blocks successful nan third, a 132-118 triumph for San Antonio. Holmgren had 23 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists successful nan aforesaid game.

Wembanyama didn’t play successful nan 4th game, a runaway triumph for nan Thunder, but he averaged 20 points, 13 rebounds and 3.8 blocks successful nan 3 he played, mounting nan shape for nan power level astatine nan Paycom Center connected Wednesday.

Wembanyama was booed loudly erstwhile introduced pinch nan starters -– correct earlier ex-Oklahoma City subordinate Chris Paul was cheered.

After Wembanyama won nan tip, nan crowd sewage excited erstwhile nan 2 would occasionally lucifer up directly. There was a buzz successful nan first 4th erstwhile Holmgren handled nan shot against Wembanyama earlier missing a pull-up jumper. Holmgren deed a brace of threes early while being guarded by different players.

The excitement diminished arsenic nan matchup became lopsided. Holmgren scored 15 points successful nan first half while Wembanyama had six points connected 1-for-5 shooting and six rebounds.

After Oklahoma City took control, Wembanyama was benched for nan last 7:04 of nan crippled — an unexpected extremity for a subordinate who had averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds done 3 games.

When asked astir nan matchup aft nan game, Holmgren sidestepped it.

“I bask each azygous time being capable to aftermath up, spell play basketball, return attraction of my family doing it,” he said. "It’s what I’ve ever wanted to do. That’s what I ever want to do arsenic agelong arsenic I’m capable to do it. And, you know, that doesn’t alteration crippled to game. But nary matter what, it’s ever going to beryllium Thunder versus our opponent. I’m present trying to triumph hoops games. And that’s what it’s going to beryllium each azygous night.”

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba