Wembanyama (20 points), Holmgren (21) put on show in preseason debut

It’s just the first preseason game... but daaaaaaaammmmnnnn.

Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama and his Thunder counterpart Chet Holmgren put on a show on Monday night, looking every bit like guys who could be fighting it out for Rookie of the Year (and have an NBA rivalry for the next decade).

BIG-TIME BIGS.
FROM THE JUMP.

Wemby and Chet put on a SHOW in their #NBAPreseason debuts!@wemby: 20 PTS, 5 REB@ChetHolmgren: 21 PTS, 9 REB, W pic.twitter.com/hTalQzxGJG

— NBA (@NBA) October 10, 2023

Wembanyama made a few plays that there is no way a 7'4" guy should be able to make — like a spin move to an up-and-under — and on another drive he flexed after dunking on Holmgren and getting the and-1.

The spin.
The off-hand scoop.

This isn't normal 🤯

Wemby has 18 points in the first half of his #NBAPreseason debut on NBA TV! pic.twitter.com/Go6k8gkICt

— NBA (@NBA) October 10, 2023

Wemby HANDLE and STRENGTH.

And-1 for Victor... he's up to 10 points in his #NBAPreseason debut on NBA TV! pic.twitter.com/xgVoRf9uNe

— NBA (@NBA) October 10, 2023

Wembanyama showed off other insane stuff, like a recovery block on Jalen Williams, but also more veteran NBA things like the ability to hit a 3 on the move and attack the rim off the dribble. Wembanyama finished with 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including 2-of-5 from 3, with five boards.

Holmgren finished with 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting, knocked down both of his 3s, and had nine boards.

Pick and pop! 💥 pic.twitter.com/y8qECAhd7s

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) October 10, 2023

It’s too early to call this a rivalry, but a fan can dream. A decade of these two battling it out would be great for the NBA.