Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren stage preseason showdown - ESPN

OKLAHOMA CITY — Victor Wembanyama's routine was a little off.

The San Antonio Spurs rookie typically takes a midday nap in between practices or prior to games, but Monday was different. His first NBA preseason game was around the corner. As he laid in bed, it just wasn't the same.

«I took a nap,» Wembanyama said, «but I couldn't sleep.»

Wembanyama, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, said he was filled with excitement as he played his first preseason minutes as a member of the Spurs. He said he had felt a fire within him since Sunday when the Spurs traveled to Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder.

And it wasn't just Wembanyama's debut; it also was the preseason debut of the No. 2 pick in the 2022 draft, Chet Holmgren, who missed all of last season because of a Lisfranc injury in his right foot.

Holmgren and the Thunder came away with a 122-121 victory, but in the limited time he and Wembanyama shared the court, they showed what they can do, starting with the opening tipoff.

Holmgren was the aggressor early, driving from the top of the key and drawing contact to earn multiple trips to the free throw line.

Wembanyama's first points came on a putback dunk off a free throw over Holmgren. As Holmgren went to box out Wembanyama to the middle of the lane, Wembanyama stayed to his left and caught the ball on that side of the rim for a putback.

Wembanyama, who primarily guarded perimeter defenders, leaked out on the break for a couple of easier opportunities, including one drive in which he drew a foul on Holmgren.

«They went at each other a couple of times and it was interesting,» Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. «It shows their character, their competitiveness and they did it within reason.

»Neither one was shooting