Chet Holmgren on Victor Wembanyama's And-1: 'The Headbutt Is an ...

10 Oct 2023
Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerTwitter LogoFeatured Columnist IVOctober 10, 2023

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Chet Holmgren - Figure 1
Photo Bleacher Report

San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama already seems to be learning what he can get away with on an NBA floor.

In the first quarter of Monday's 122-121 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Wembanyama drove inside and drew a foul on Thunder big man Chet Holmgren. Holmgren quipped the Frenchman might have discovered his signature move:

chet holmgren @ChetHolmgren

The headbutt is an unstoppable move fasho???????????? <a href="https://t.co/Oaz7Mz8f57">https://t.co/Oaz7Mz8f57</a>

Some might read the comment as a bit of sour grapes, but it certainly looked as though Wembanyama lowered his head and connected with Holmgren around the jaw. He was a bit fortunate to not get whistled for a foul himself.

In general, the preseason battle between the pair lived up to the hype. Wembanyama had 20 points and five rebounds in 19 minutes on the floor, while Holmgren dropped 21 points and nine boards in just 16 minutes of action.

For the 2023 No. 1 overall pick, it remains to be seen whether his "headbutt" will be equally effective against other opposition.

The 7'1", 195-pound Holmgren has a similar frame to Wembanyama. The same can't be said of Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokić, both of whom have 70-plus pounds on him. Even the likes of Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns and Domantas Sabonis will have a decided size advantage inside.

Wembanyama won't be to push around the league's best post players with the same ease he sent Holmgren tumbling Monday.

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