Chet Holmgren’s blunt 5-word deflection on Victor Wembanyama making rivalry ‘private’ appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Most well-liked Supply by clicking right here.
Amid the Spurs-Thunder matchup, there is a widespread perception within the NBA {that a} rivalry is rising between Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama. Each gamers are unicorns at their place, with versatile talent units that usually lengthen past the paint and a penchant for shot-blocking. Whereas Victor Wembanyama has appeared to embrace the problem of a possible rivalry with Holmgren on the courtroom, Holmgren has bristled on the notion.
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Based on a Sports activities Illustrated characteristic by Chris Mannix, Holmgren was bullish on leaning into the rivalry and talked about his matchup with Victor Wembanyama, including that he discovered so much from the Spurs’ 7-game win over the Thunder in Could. Holmgren stated he took away classes from the 28 different groups within the league and did not relish the matchup. He additionally directed the query of whether or not the 2 have a rivalry to Wembanyama.
“You’ll be able to’t get so wrapped up in simply that, that you simply neglect the method and the steps that it takes to work in direction of the purpose we’re making an attempt to work in direction of,” Holmgren instructed Chris Mannix about dealing with Wembanyama. “They are a very proficient younger workforce. There isn’t any denying that. And I might say, I imply, we’re a really proficient younger workforce too, and that results in some very fiery, aggressive basketball video games.”
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Whereas many consider Wembanyama has embraced the rivalry on the courtroom, he is additionally downplayed it in media feedback, together with an interview with Taylor Rooks on NBA’s Prime Video protection in December 2025.
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“In the end, on the courtroom, the MVPs in that courtroom, the reigning MVP, so she is our principal focus. Anyone is tough to protect when it’s important to assistance on the MVPs.”
Maxime Aubin additionally obtained a quote from Wembanyama concerning the rivalry between them forward of their Christmas matchup in December 2025 and stated, “No, I do not take into consideration that. At the least from a basketball standpoint, there isn’t any comparability (between us).”
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No matter if the rivalry exists or not, the Spurs and Thunder are set to conflict in a high-stakes matchup on Tuesday that would decide the early standings within the Western Convention race.
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