OKC will try again on Christmas Day to stop Victor Wembanyama and San Antonio’s mastery of the Thunder so far.
• NBA on Christmas Day: Complete coverage
With such height, such skill and at such a young age, the expectations and projections of greatness can be very steep. And this isn’t just what the hoop world thinks about Victor Wembanyama.
It’s what he thinks about himself.
When asked the other day if he thought he’d quickly regain the impact and dominance and be just as good as he showed before his calf strain caused him to miss multiple weeks, Wemby was direct and succinct:
“Of course. Even better.”
This is a timely topic here at Christmas, if only because the league understandably crams as much star power into the holiday slate as possible. As the San Antonio Spurs prepare to face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder (2:30 ET, ABC & ESPN), their “Alien” and franchise center, less than two weeks shy of 22, is squarely among the elites and ahead of schedule (much like the young Spurs in total).
There are levels to this game and Wembanyama believes he can clear all of them. He isn’t suffering from a lack of self-belief. That’s either a healthy outlook to keep or a bodacious one, or perhaps more accurately, a combination of both.
It’s all about how this is interpreted, by fans and envious opponents. To become the greatest ever — something Wembanyama has mentioned as a goal — a player must think in those terms. That forces him to work hard, evolve, develop, win and dominate to back it up. Nobody ever achieved anything in the NBA by being timid or placing limits on himself.
WE HYPED SAN ANTONIOOOO 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/O96Ld0l7DP
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) December 24, 2025
Besides, this is all done with a splash of charm and never to demean anyone or any team.
“There are certain players in this league that draw special attention based on their production or how unique they are,” said Spurs coach Mitch Johnson. “There are a handful who stick out among that special group and he obviously does that, whether that’s by his play style or approach to the game, especially at the age he’s at.
“He has confidence in what it takes in this league to be successful and be as dominant as he wants to be. That is the journey he’s on and the journey we’re on with him. And he’s obviously growing in that area … that takes time and a whole lot of work and repetition.”
Still — might his self-confidence rub some the wrong way? Folks in Oklahoma City were in their feelings last week when Wembanyama helped defeat the Thunder and then championed the “pure and ethical” basketball favored by the Spurs.
And remember when he said this, moments after France lost to the United States in the 2024 Olympic gold medal game?
“I’m learning and I’m worried for the opponents in the next couple of years.”
In the Olympics?
“Everywhere.”
He has improved virtually across the board since then. His shooting range, defensive smarts and even his passing are all on the uptick. Even scarier is that Wembanyama’s ceiling remains high.
Spurs teammate Devin Vassell said recently that when Wembanyama fully recovers from his calf strain and reverts to normal playing time, “the league is in trouble.”
Certainly, Wembanyama has the Spurs on the rise and in the heads of their Western Conference opponents. The Thunder seek to avenge their Emirates NBA Cup Semifinals loss with a victory on Christmas Day.
Victor Wembanyama leads the Spurs to a 111-109 win vs. the Thunder in the Emirates NBA Cup.
Even the Thunder admitted that dealing with Wembanyama will demand their best.
As Chet Holmgren said recently, “The game definitely changes anytime a very unique player comes into the game. He does things that other lineups don’t replicate.”
But when it comes to a certain Thursday in December, Wembanyama is just one of a handful of difference-making players who’ll lace up and either enhance their status in the game or reconfirm it.
Here’s a state-of-the-stars examination of those who’ll play on the NBA’s most visible day (listed in alphabetical order):
Jalen Brunson (Knicks vs. Cavaliers)
Here in his fourth season with the Knicks, Brunson is better-than-previously-advertised. He’s the most impactful second-round pick since Nikola Jokić and among the best all-time. Fresh off an NBA Cup win and 47 points (without a turnover) against Miami, Brunson cruises into Christmas as a Kia MVP candidate and remains a feared NBA scorer (29.1 points per game). Brunson seeks the ultimate validation, but the Knicks must wait until summer — and win a championship — for that.
Stephen Curry (Warriors vs. Mavericks)
Curry confirms the belief that shooters are the last to perish in the NBA. It’s unfair to hold him, at 37, to his prime standards. But 28.7 ppg on 39.8% shooting on 3-pointers is applaudable given the amount of tread on his tires. That said, Curry hasn’t been immune to physical pings and dings. He also seems unable to elevate the Warriors, who are hardly a playoff lock. It bears watching what the Warriors do to take advantage of his remaining great years.
Luka Dončić (Lakers vs. Rockets)
The keys to the Lakers franchise belong to Dončić both now and in the future, a privilege once enjoyed by Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Dončić so far is following in those legendary footsteps. He’s the league’s leading scorer (34.1 ppg) and is nearly averaging a triple-double. Do we hold the jersey retirement now or wait until he’s done? Lakers loyalists, understandably spoiled, will insist on a championship first.
Kevin Durant (Rockets vs. Lakers)
Much like Curry, Durant (37) refuses to allow his shooting stroke to betray him. There are times when Durant is a tough assignment and he has some on-court flashbacks to his MVP season (although they are infrequent). While he appears to be the first option for the Rockets, this might be the first time in his career where Durant isn’t the unquestioned best player on his team (Alperen Sengun).
Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves vs. Nuggets)
Edwards opened the season with a 40-piece, averaged nearly 30 points in November (29.7 ppg) and finds himself once again high among the league’s most gifted creators. He’s on track for a third straight All-NBA season and hopes to carry the Wolves to a third straight Western Conference Finals, if not further. The Wolves, starved for a steady point guard, are asking him to assume a share of the playmaking chores as well.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder vs. Spurs)
He’s in his prime and a top-five NBA player coming off a season in which he won every significant honor and award. The trick now is the follow-up, and so far, so good for Gilgeous-Alexander. If he stays healthy and motivated, he’ll fall among the greats, especially if he collects multiple championships along the way. What’s insane is why young players don’t copy his art of the mid-range shot. They’d rather fly through the air, but Gilgeous-Alexander is perfectly content to be grounded in so many ways.
LeBron James (Lakers vs. Rockets)
The calendar flips next week when James turns 41, which will signal yet another disbelieving aspect to his astonishing career. If you judge him by his age, then he’s a marvel, able to play 35 minutes per game, toss in a handful of big games and display the all-around skills that created a legend. If you compare him now to his prime, that’s a drop-off as age has sapped his defensive skills. Nonetheless, James remains a factor for the Lakers. The question is, how much longer? Eventually, Father Time will tire of being dunked on.
Nikola Jokić (Nuggets vs. Timberwolves)
The last six years have defined an all-time great. If Jokić grabs a fourth MVP and second championship, he’ll make a strong case for being top-10 all-time. Both are possible this season, where Jokić once again is averaging a triple-double and serving as the centerpiece of the Nuggets, who are knocking on the attic door in the West. He’s the people’s choice as best player in the game until someone else comes along and strips the title, which won’t be easy.
Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers vs. Knicks)
A tremendous scorer and go-to player in tight games, Mitchell demands double-teams and usually finds a way to get his bucket. His ball-handling is also top shelf. In one respect, though, this season represents a setback given the Cavs’ spot in the East standings. Injuries have factored into the team’s slippage after it had the East’s best record in 2024-25. A failure to make the playoffs often reflects, fair or not, on that team’s best player.
Jamal Murray (Nuggets vs. Timberwolves)
Still looking for that elusive All-Star berth here in his ninth season, Murray leveled up over the last month and put himself squarely in the conversation for that. He’s averaging 27.1 ppg and 7.3 apg this month, with a 52-point showing against the Pacers. His chemistry with Jokic remains deadly. Assuming he stays healthy and this productive, not only will Murray get All-Star attention, he could get All-NBA notice for the first time in his career.
Jalen Williams (Thunder vs. Spurs)
Williams put the league on notice last year; he made the All-Star game, the All-NBA team and dropped an epic performance against the Pacers in the NBA Finals. The follow-up is currently in progress with mixed results for the 23-year-old. Williams missed a month while recovering from off-season surgery on his right wrist and is slow to regain form so far. OKC managed to do just fine without him, but the schedule is about to get tougher. There’s no chance to approach the Warriors’ seasonal record of 73 wins unless Williams bounces back.
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA since 1985. You can e-mail him at spowell@nba.com, find his archive here and follow him on X.
