The OKC Thunder vs. the San Antonio Spurs Game 1 was one for the ages, as the Spurs gave the Thunder their first taste of loss in this playoff. In a game when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struggled with shooting, NBA fans had some words watching Victor Wembanyama laughing at the reigning MVP. 

SGA received his MVP award right before the game with Wembanyama, who finished third in voting, watching on the sideline. SGA's shooting woes quickly became apparent as he struggled to maintain composure. 

In an early third-quarter play, Alex Caruso made a behind-the-back, flashy pass to the SGA, right around the rim. Wembanyama, who was standing right in front of him, didn’t even attempt to block the floater from the reigning MVP. But SGA missed the wide-open shot inside the paint. 

The Defensive Player of the Year caught the rebound, and as SGA was trying to steal the ball from him, he laughed at the MVP. Wemby also had some words for SGA.

The Spurs defeated the defending champions 122-115 in double-overtime with Wemby playing the best playoff game of his career. On the other hand, SGA scored 24 points on 7 of 23 shooting in 51 minutes.

NBA fans React to Wemby-SGA Interaction

SGA’s struggles started just a few minutes after NBA commissioner Adam Silver handed him the MVP award. For most of the game, he shot under 30 percent from the field.

This prompted a fan to sarcastically comment on SGA's award.

“And Thunder fans still chanting MVP while he's at the free throw line,” 

Victor Wembanyama scored a game-high 41 points along with 24 rebounds and 3 blocks in 49 minutes. He was by far the best player on either team.

A fan called the Spurs star “THE REAL MVP.”

It was inevitable that in a high-stakes game, if SGA struggles, his image of a ‘free-throw merchant’ would come up among NBA fans. Despite attempting just nine free throws, the fans didn’t soften their stance on him.

“Look at this bum without refs call. This is the MVP?” a fan wrote.

SGA’s struggles wouldn’t have come at a worse time. Right after getting the most prestigious award of the regular season, the MVP was not even the second-best player on his team against the Thunder’s biggest opponent. 

“Wemby really got SGA in hellcat jail while up 7 in OKC, I’m sick to my stomach. This "MVP candidate" vanishes the second a 7-foot-4 alien breathes in his direction,” a fan wrote.

However, some fans refused to take the credit away from SGA, but declared Wemby the best player in the world.

“Don't be fooled. SGA may be the MVP, but Wemby is the best basketball player in the world,” the fan wrote.

With contenders this strong in the Western Conference, one fan was not hopeful for the East.

"Yeah the East is not sniffing a championship for the next 10 years"

The Western Conference, with teams like OKC and Spurs truly do seem like the title contenders this season.

Do you think Wembanyama has a mental edge over SGA in this series? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Nandjee Ranjan