In his third season in the NBA, Victor Wembanyama will fight for his first championship ring. The Spurs dethroned the reigning champion Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, 103-111, and starting this Thursday (2:30 a.m. Spanish time) they will face the Knicks in the battle for the title. It will be a repeat of the 1999 Finals, the one that crowned San Antonio for the first time and the last time New York was seen in the decisive series.

Because the alien’s time has come. The player called to change basketball with a never-before-seen blend of anatomy, mobility, and skill will fight for the ring. He is 22 years old. He can dominate the NBA for at least the next decade and he is hungry: “Winning the title is a childhood dream. It is almost like the meaning of my life.” His sidekicks Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle are 20 and 21 years old, respectively, even though they play as if they were 30.

“I can’t explain this feeling. It’s very intense and I want to feel it many more times in my life. God! It’s an unreal opportunity to be champion. It’s incredible. My life is incredible. I love experiencing these moments with my teammates. I love them so much,” said Wembanyama, with tears in his eyes after reaching the final.

I can’t explain this feeling. It’s very intense and I want to feel it many more times in my life

Victor Wembanyama, pívot de los Spurs

The center was chosen as the MVP of the series. In the first Game 7 of a Conference final since 2018, he scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Just as decisive as he was the three-point shooting of Julien Champagnie, who finished 6/10 to reach 20 points. Stephon Castle added 16, plus six rebounds and as many assists.

Thunder absences

The Thunder were once again led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished with 35 points, four rebounds and nine assists. On the key day, he was more alone than on other occasions. The champions missed two of their creators. Jalen Williams missed Game 7 with a left hamstring injury and Ajay Mitchell was dealing with a soleus problem. Without them, the second option was Cason Wallace (17+7). There was barely any news of Chet Holmgren, Wemby’s nemesis. He finished with four points and 1/2 from the field in 33 minutes.

Wembanyama has led the Spurs to their sixth NBA Finals and their first since 2014. Now he will try to capture the franchise’s sixth ring, emulating Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Manu Ginobili, Kawhi Leonard… Legends of a team who, in some cases, have served as mentors to the 2.24-meter French prodigy, whom they have carefully nurtured since his arrival in the League. A slow cook—for some, too slow—to reach this moment: fighting to be champion.

Popovich is the boss. He’s going through some things we can’t even imagine. I need to call him, see him, talk to him

Victor Wembanyama, pívot de los Spurs

Special mention for Gregg Popovich, with whom he began his career and with whom he has a special relationship. “He’s the boss. He’s going through some things we can’t even imagine. I need to call him, see him, talk to him, because there’s no way I can understand right now how he feels,” said Wemby after the victory over the legendary coach. He was his first coach, but had to step down after suffering a stroke. He is still close to the team. During the playoff series against the Thunder, he even gave a motivational speech in the locker room.