Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs received a surprise message from NBA legend Magic Johnson after their Western Conference win on Saturday. Moments after Mitch Johnson and co stunned the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 in Game 7, the Hall of Famer showered praise.
“I want to congratulate San Antonio Spurs Head Coach Mitch Johnson, superstar Victor Wembanyama, and the entire Spurs organization for advancing to the NBA Finals!” Johnson wrote shortly after the final buzzer.
The Spurs' road to the NBA Finals has largely been powered by Wembanyama, who delivered another dominant performance in the series-clinching victory. The 7-foot-4 French superstar finished with 22 points as San Antonio completed a 4-3 series comeback against Oklahoma City and secured its first NBA Finals appearance since 2014.
Wembanyama was later named Western Conference Finals MVP after averaging 27.3 points and 10.9 rebounds across the seven-game series. He scored at least 20 points in every game and opened the matchup with a spectacular 41-point, 24-rebound performance in Game 1.
His ability to rebound from a disappointing Game 5 proved critical. After helping force Game 7 with a 28-point effort in Game 6, he once again rose to the occasion on the road in Oklahoma City.
Childhood dream now within reach: Wembanyama quickly shifted his attention toward the bigger prize awaiting the Spurs. “Winning the Larry O'Brien (NBA championship trophy) is a childhood dream, and having a real shot at it, having a tangible chance at winning it -- it's a lifetime chance,” he told a post-game press conference.
Spurs' balanced attack proves decisive: While Wembanyama once again stole the spotlight, he was quick to credit the teammates around him. Seven Spurs players finished in double figures during the Game 7 victory, highlighting the depth that has made San Antonio one of the NBA's most dangerous teams throughout the season.
