Victor Wembanyama couldn’t hold it anymore. As the final seconds ticked away in San Antonio’s Game 7 win over the Thunder, the 22-year-old grabbed his jersey, looked down and broke down in tears after leading the Spurs back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014.
The Spurs stunned Oklahoma City 111-103 on the road to eliminate the defending champions and officially announce themselves as the NBA’s next power.
“Winning the Larry O’Brien, is a children’s dream,” said Wembanyama. “To have a real shot at it, to have a chance, a tangible chance to win it, to achieve a dream. … The day we win it, I speak for myself, will be an amazing dream come true day. It’s hard to put into words. It’s almost like the definition of my life.”
Wembanyama spent nearly two full minutes screaming, crying and hugging his teammates after the incredible buzz that filled the NBA world.
Victor Wembanyama crying after entering the NBA Finals.
This is the feeling and heart that the NBA needs. pic.twitter.com/Q1pg6yZQp8
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 31, 2026
What scares the whole league is how young this Spurs team is.
San Antonio became the first NBA Finals team ever to have its top two players 22 or younger.
Stephon Castle continued his postseason run, while rookie Dylan Harper delivered big moments throughout the Western Conference Finals.
“My dream has always been to play at the Garden in the NBA Finals,” said Harper. “I’ll do that in my first year.”
Wemby dominated the series from start to finish. He averaged 27.3 points, 10.9 rebounds and recorded 19 blocks in seven games.
His 41-point performance in Game 1 immediately set the tone for the series.
“I found resources within myself,” said Wembanyama. “Relentless. I already knew that, but to do it at this level, I mean, this is the best basketball in the world right now.”
Spurs coach, Mitch Johnson, believes that Wembanyama’s passion is what sets him apart.
“He has such a vision, in my opinion, of who he wants to be as a person and as a player,” Johnson said. “The dedication and investment he put into that vision is like nothing I’ve ever seen before.”
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