Chet Holmgren Breaks Silence on Victor Wembanyama Beef

Before an October 2024 game against the Thunder, Victor Wembanyama refused to say Chet Holmgren's name. Two years later, after the Spurs eliminated Oklahoma City in the Western Conference Finals, Holmgren has finally been asked about the tension. He did not take the bait.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix, the Thunder center gave a five-word answer that says plenty. Asked by Mannix whether Wembanyama, who has had some not-so-subtle criticisms of Holmgren over the years, had made the rivalry personal, Holmgren said, "that's a question for him."

Asked if he relished the matchup, he said, "I relish every game." Holmgren said he is not interested in revisiting that series and that he learned a lot from it, "but the takeaways from that are tangible against the other 28 teams, too."

Mannix also asked whether facing the Spurs felt different from facing the Nuggets, Timberwolves, Lakers or any other conference rival, and Holmgren paused. He explained:

"You don't get extra excited to play a tanking team in December. ... But when you play against teams that you know you have to bring your best against, I'd definitely say that's like, I'll use your words, you relish the games, you have to bring your best against."

On the Wembanyama matchup itself, Holmgren steered toward the bigger picture.

"You can't get so wrapped up in just that, that you forget the process and the steps that it takes to work towards the goal we're trying to work towards," he said. "They're a very talented young team. There's no denying that. And I'd say, I mean, we're a very talented young team too, and that leads to some very fiery, competitive basketball games."

The numbers show why he was asked. The Spurs eliminated the Thunder in seven games in the 2026 Western Conference Finals, with Wembanyama averaging 27.3 points to Holmgren's 10.7.

In Game 7, Wembanyama had 22 points and seven rebounds, while Holmgren had four points and four rebounds. SI described Holmgren's performance in that series as disastrous.

The tension did not start in the playoffs. Broadcast mics once caught Wembanyama shouting "Hell yeah!" after Holmgren missed a free throw, and the name episode in 2024 was seen by many as a deliberate slight.

Holmgren's answer fits his earlier pattern. After a win over San Antonio in the past, he said, "No matter what, it's always going to be the Thunder versus our opponent."

He has regularly argued that the rivalry is a team matchup, a framing that avoids giving Wembanyama the personal battle that fans want.

The Thunder are a year removed from a championship, while the Spurs are fresh off a first Finals appearance, and both teams are built around young stars.

The Thunder visit San Antonio on Tuesday night for the season opener. Holmgren's status is uncertain because he has missed the preseason with a quad injury. Coach Mark Daigneault backed him, saying he is more confident in Holmgren because of the added experience and the way he has taken the loss.

Holmgren is not interested in feeding a feud. He wants the Thunder to be judged on process and results. Wembanyama has the last word on whether it is personal, since Holmgren says that is his question to answer.

Whichever of them is on the floor Tuesday, the matchup will not need a headline to be intense.