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Victor Wembanyama has made a good start to the season with the San Antonio Spursleading the team to four consecutive victories. While the French phenom aims to make his mark on the league this year, a N.B.A the inside crosses Chet HolmgrenWinning the championship has become a hidden source of motivation for him.
According to ESPN's Marc Spears, Wembanyama is hungrier than ever and that's largely because Holmgren won the title with the Thunder last season.
“Someone in this room told me that Wemby is motivated by Chet. Chet has one against him in the championship,” Spears reported.
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Wembanyama and Holmgren have been rivals since 2021, meeting for the first time at the FIBA U19 World Cup in Latvia. They fostered that rivalry in the NBA as they battled for the 2024 Rookie of the Year award, which the Frenchman won over Holmgren and Brandon Miller.
However, Holmgren won a Wembanyama last season when his OKC Thunder team swept the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers in seven games. This has reportedly lit a fire under Wemby as he looks to match Holmgren this term.
The 2025 NBA All-Star has started the season strong, averaging 31.0 points and 13.8 rebounds per game as the Spurs remain undefeated in the league. San Antonio and Oklahoma City remain the only unbeaten teams in the Western Conference as Wembanyama aims for a fifth straight win against the Miami Heat on Thursday.
Given their similar history, size and playing styles, it's no surprise that Wembanyama considers Holmgren a rival. With both players seen as the prototypes of the modern NBA big man, this could mark the start of a compelling new rivalry.
Chet Holmgren once set the record for his “beef” with Victor Wembanyama
OKC Thunder Chet Holmgren has become one of the best centers in the NBA today. The big man alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jaylen Williams has formed a big three at Oklahoma, delivering a title to the franchise after four decades.
However, Holmgren's rivalry with Victor Wembanyama has turned many heads and he made their relationship clear during an appearance on Paul George's podcast in 2024.
“We played each other before we were even in the NBA. People will be like 'Y'all got beef?'” Holmgren said. “We're competing, but beef means when I see you, we fight. Why do I have beef with him? I honestly don't even know him.”
Despite their claims, the duo often clash during games and have formed a budding rivalry.
Edited by Arian Kashyap
