By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Victor Wembanyama is relishing the opportunity to face his mentor, Rudy Gobert, in the upcoming Western Conference Semifinals of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google.
“It’s even more fun if I’m meant to play against Rudy,” he previewed the French matchup during a media session following team practice on Friday.
“As a role model, there are a lot of things that he inspired me, but I’m sure he inspired more people in terms of taking care of their bodies. He should be a role model for all big men,” he stated, highlighting Gobert’s influence on his career and the league at large.
Addressing the challenge posed by the Minnesota Timberwolves, the 22-year-old center acknowledged the difficulty of the next best-of-seven series. “Great individual players. Tough team. It’s just a team that forces you to be on for 48 minutes every time,” he mentioned.
Despite the competitive stakes, he expressed concern for his opponents’ health. “Exciting team to play against. Saddened by the injuries,” said Wemby. “We’re excited and locked in. We know it’s going to be even harder than the first series.”
“They have more than Edwards and DiVincenzo, but those two are players I like watching, I like playing against. They go hard,” he added. “It always breaks my heart when I see somebody get hurt.”
Game 1 is scheduled for Monday in San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 3-3 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113, 88-94, 116-109, 93-79)
2. Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 3-3 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93, 125-120, 110-112)
3. New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 4-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98, 126-97, 140-89)
4. Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-3 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96, 97-113, 93-106)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Winners 1-2
6. New York Knicks – Winner 4
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 4-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109, 131-122)
2. Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 4-2 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108, 96-115, 93-99, 98-78)
3. Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-4 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112, 125-113, 98-110)
4. San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93, 114-95)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Oklahoma City Thunder – Los Angeles Lakers
6. San Antonio Spurs – Minnesota Timberwolves
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions