Chet Holmgren’s blunt 5-word deflection on Victor Wembanyama making rivalry ‘personal’

Amid the Spurs-Thunder matchup, there’s a widespread belief in the NBA that a rivalry is growing between Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama. Both players are unicorns at their position, with versatile skill sets that often extend beyond the paint and a penchant for shot-blocking. While Victor Wembanyama has seemed to embrace the challenge of a potential rivalry with Holmgren on the court, Holmgren has bristled at the notion.

According to a Sports Illustrated feature by Chris Mannix, Holmgren was bullish on leaning into the rivalry and talked about his matchup with Victor Wembanyama, adding that he learned a lot from the Spurs’ 7-game win over the Thunder in May. Holmgren said he took away lessons from the 28 other teams in the league and didn’t relish the matchup. He also directed the question of whether the two have a rivalry to Wembanyama.

“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,” Holmgren told Chris Mannix about facing Wembanyama. “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.”

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While many believe Wembanyama has embraced the rivalry on the court, he’s also downplayed it in media comments, including an interview with Taylor Rooks on NBA’s Prime Video coverage in December 2025.

“Ultimately, on the court, you know the MVPs in that court, the reigning MVP, so she is our main focus. Anybody is hard to guard when you have to help on the MVPs.”

Maxime Aubin also obtained a quote from Wembanyama about the rivalry between them ahead of their Christmas matchup in December 2025 and said, “No, I don’t think about that. At least from a basketball standpoint, there’s no comparison (between us).”

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Regardless of if the rivalry exists or not, the Spurs and Thunder are set to clash in a high-stakes matchup on Tuesday that could determine the early standings in the Western Conference race.