Throughout the years, the NBA has had some legendary rivalries.
Whether it was Karl Malone Vs Michael Jordan, Larry Bird Vs Magic Johnson, or LeBron James Vs Stephen Curry, all of which defined their respective eras.
Although as the NBA landscape continues to evolve, new feuds begin, none more heated than the modern example between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs.
Their recent encounters have set the stage for a rivalry that could last a generation.
In the most recent season, Wembanyama has had the upper hand on Alexander, going (3-1) in their regular-season battles.
Notably, San Antonio also knocked Oklahoma City out of the NBA In-Season tournament back in December.
However, while Wembanyama has gotten the better of Alexander in their personal meetings, the same can’t be said for their individual accolades.
Wembanyama does have a 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year and 2026 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award to his name, but that doesn’t quite match up to Alexander.
Alexander would become the fourteenth player in league history to win back-to-back NBA MVP awards, doing so in 2025 and 2026, overcoming runner-up Wembanyama in the process during the latter.
Moreover, the MVP also guided Oklahoma City to its first championship since 1979 in 2025 by defeating the Indiana Pacers, winning the NBA Finals MVP award.
Fast forward to the present, and the two now meet in the NBA Western Conference Finals.
The winner will face either the New York Knicks or the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2026 NBA Finals.
Nonetheless, as their series continues, fans should only expect things to heat up ahead of Game Five on May 26.
The question everyone is asking, though, is if Wembanyama’s rise will continue, or is Aelxander shows why he is the most valuable player?
