Why everyone suddenly downplaying Victor Wembanyama’s Game 1 heroics

Monday night's Western Conference Finals opener between the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder had everything.

Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs to a 122-115 double-overtime victory against the Thunder, posting 41 points and 24 rebounds. He forced the second overtime with a crucial three-pointer and became the youngest player to achieve a 40-point, 20-rebound playoff game. 

However, a majority of the fanbase is still debating on his Game 1 heroics. Spurs reporter Tom Petrini is the root cause of the online stir. He posted a court-level arena photo on social media that appeared to show Wembanyama launching the ball from deep behind the OKC logo, writing, “Wemby shot from here with the game on the line man What the hell.”

Fans are taking shots at the ridiculous wide-angle photo, which makes it look like Wemby's clutch three came from another zip code. The post has since turned viral online because it is an obvious exaggeration, taken from far behind the logo rather than where Wembanyama actually stood.

One fan corrected the record with broadcast footage, penning, "IT WAS A DEEP DAGGER, but your photo is behind the logo. Wemby is in front where it ends. BUT IT WAS DEEP, just not that far like your photo is making it look." 

Another one added, "That's not even close to where Wemby shot lol." 

A third fan noted, "Bro is at least 15 feet further… wtf is this bait." 

The fourth viewer pointed out the optics issue directly, writing, "Everything is gonna look much farther if you use a stupid FOV." 

A fifth one claimed, "You gotta bring the camera like 2 feet up gang, this not realistic enough."

A random X user remarked, “Yall trying to put him Over LeBron and Jordan now because he made a long shot lol Like nobody in the nba ever made a long 3 before 🤣”

The fan reactions comparing Wemby to legendary players are the most critical part of this story. He was actually 28 feet from the rim, making it his only three-point attempt of the night. Because of the timing, it became the biggest talking point of the game.

These early debates are minor for now. However, if Wembanyama continues to play at this level, it will spark a massive conversation about his status against regular-season MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, making this series even more significant.

Game 2 tips off Wednesday night in Oklahoma City at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Reporter Petrini is likely preparing to drop even more exaggerated posts about Wembanyama.

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