Holmgren dropped major words about the perceived "rivalry" between him and Victor Wembanyama.
Chet Holmgren made it clear that it's not up to him to decide if he and Victor Wembanyama must be considered a rivalry.
The Oklahoma City Thunder star sat down with ESPN's Malika Andrews to discuss his growing basketball affair against the French sensation.
"I don’t think it’s ever been up to players or teams to declare rivalries," Holmgren told Andrews, "So you’re asking the wrong person."
And as Andrews asked him if he had already spoken with Wembanyama, Holmgren responded: "Not a full sentence. ... We just never really crossed paths."
Both Holmgren and Wembanyama have been linked to each other as early as they were teenagers while competing for their nations at the international stage.
The previous NBA Cup semifinal round was another chapter added to the fierce contest between the two. Both young centers went head-to-head, but it was Wembanyama who prevailed to pace the Spurs' 111-109 victory over Holmgren and the Thunder.
It was observed that Wembanyama has taken his matchup against Holmgren way too seriously, prompting an intriguing advice from an NBA legend.
Holmgren and Wembanyama are set to face four more times this season based on the 2025-26 regular-season schedule of both the Thunder and the Spurs, which includes a marquee Christmas Day showdown in Oklahoma City.
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