Chet Holmgren is defended by Victor Wembanyama in the first quarter of Game 5. Joshua Gateley / Getty ImagesBy The Athletic NBA StaffMay 26, 2026 10:01 pm EDT Updated Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren exchanged a tense moment early in Tuesday’s Game 5 of the Western Conference finals featuring the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs — and Jaylin Williams added fuel to it.The sequence started in the first quarter when Wembanyama bumped into Holmgren, adding another physical chapter to the growing battle between the two young stars. Williams immediately reacted from the Thunder side, eyeing Wembanyama after the contact.
love it pic.twitter.com/PWnL8Ougs0
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) May 27, 2026A few possessions later, Williams had his own moment with Wembanyama. After knocking down a 3-pointer, the Oklahoma City forward stared directly at Wembanyama on his way back down the floor, creating one of the more animated exchanges of Tuesday night and quickly sending social media into reaction mode.
The way Jaylin Williams looked at Wemby after hitting the 3 in his face LMAOOOOO pic.twitter.com/Nr0ieyFjE4
— Shabazz 💫 (@ShowCaseShabazz) May 27, 2026With emotions rising and a trip to the NBA Finals on the line, the edge in the Thunder-Spurs series has only continued to grow.May 27, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
