Why Thunder-Spurs could be NBA's rivalry of future with Chet Holmgren, Victor Wembanyama

Even when sharing the floor with other NBA players, Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama looked like they were in a league of their own.

Or a world of their own, for that matter.

The two 7-foot rookies looked like they’d just crash-landed on Earth as they dwarfed their teammates during the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 122-121 preseason win over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night at Paycom Center.

They defied the traditional skillsets of big men with coast-to-coast drives, fluid spin moves and pull-up 3-pointers. It was a highly-anticipated matchup that didn't disappoint, but it wasn’t the first time they shared the floor.

Their careers first intertwined during the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup Final in Riga, Latvia, on July 11, 2021. Holmgren represented Team USA, while Wembanyama represented Team France.

“I don’t look up, literally, to many people, but that’s one of them,” Holmgren said of his first impressions of Wembanyama. “Freak body type, whatever you call it. … He’s been skilled coming up.”

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But it was Holmgren and Team USA that rose above Wembanyama that day.

The Americans earned a thrilling 83-81 victory to claim gold. A 19-year-old Holmgren finished with 10 points and five assists, which helped him earn tournament MVP honors.

Wembanyama did all he could in the losing effort. The then-17-year-old Frenchman racked up 22 points, eight rebounds and eight blocks, but he fouled out with 2:42 left in the contest.

“It was a great game,” Holmgren said. “It came down to the wire, and we were able to take the gold medal home.”

Monday’s sequel was just as competitive.

Holmgren looked sharp after missing all of last season due to a foot injury. The former No. 2 overall pick in 2022 racked up 21 points, nine rebounds and one block in 16 minutes.

Wembanyama also looked as good as advertised in his preseason debut. The No. 1 overall pick in June's draft finished with 20 points, five rebounds and two steals in 19 minutes.

It was a firework display by the young bigs, who tried not to get too caught up in the hype of the matchup.

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“I feel like Vic as well as myself did a really good job tonight of understanding that it’s not the Chet versus Vic show,” Holmgren said. “If we want that, there should be a charity game in the summer or something.”

But that didn’t stop them from going at each other.

San Antonio held a 22-18 lead with 5:45 left in the first quarter when Holmgren was left alone to defend Wembanyama on a fast break.

Holmgren made a business decision to not challenge Wembanyama, who unleashed a vicious one-handed slam. He then pounded his chest as he looked out at a sea of silent Thunder fans.

“I think my best games are when I put energy on the court,” Wembanyama said of his aggressiveness. “I was just trying to put energy out at all times.”

But Holmgren showed some energy of his own on the very next play.

The 21-year-old center attacked the body of Zach Collins, adjusted in the air and banked in a layup despite being fouled. He then got up and flexed his muscles.

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“I thought they went at it a couple of times, and it was interesting,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “It shows their character and their competitiveness, and they did it within reason. Neither one was shooting a horrible shot to do the other one in or anything.

“It was basic basketball that the basketball gods would agree with.”

One can only hope the basketball gods have more matchups between Holmgren and Wembanyama in store.

Their basketball journeys have been intertwined since that meeting in Latvia back in 2021. And after Monday's impressive showcase, it’s clear they’ll both be around in the NBA for years to come.

“I plan to play for a long time, and I’m sure he does too,” Holmgren said. “There’ll be no choice but to go back and forth. I’m excited for tonight and tomorrow but the future down the road as well.”

Thunder vs. Pistons

NBA PRESEASON: 6 p.m. Thursday at Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec (Bally Sports Oklahoma)

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Chet Holmgren, Victor Wembanyama 'excited' for Thunder-Spurs battles