Sports

Thunder Fans Retaliate Against Victor Wembanyama With Game 5 Chant

With the Western Conference Finals even at 2-2 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, OKC returned to their home venue, where they were 34-7 in the regular season.

Unlike the other side of the NBA Playoffs, where New York Knicks fans traveled to opposing teams’ arenas, the same hasn’t been happening as much in the West.

Instead, teams are getting the benefit of the home crowd’s energy, and in Game 5 at OKC, a major boost from the fans’ heckling of the Spurs and retaliatory chants toward their big man.

With Victor Wembanyama at the free-throw line, the crowd showed no mercy, delivering a noticeable “flopper” chant as he attempted his shots.

Read more:Reggie Miller Sounds Off on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Flopping Criticism

The ironic chant arrived as OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to get labeled as such by various critics. However, he hasn’t averaged more than eight free throws per game heading into Game 5.

Video surfaced online of Wemby drawing a foul against the Thunder’s Jaylin Williams and then attempting his free throws. Mike Tirico pointed out the crowd’s chant as he shot.

The BrickCenter account on X suggested that Wemby “foul-baited” to get the call from the officials, which led to the chant.

Wemby typically hasn’t been considered a flopper in the NBA, and most likely, it was OKC fans who’ve had enough of the constant narrative that their star player and two-time MVP is skilled at flopping.

Meanwhile, Wemby, the Spurs’ former No. 1 pick from France, has dominated most opponents, including the Oklahoma City Thunder in the regular season and in several games of this WCF.

However, that wasn’t the case early in his team’s latest effort on Tuesday night, as he and most of his teammates struggled against the Thunder.

OKC held a 69-58 lead at halftime over the visitors, even without starter Jalen Williams or his replacement, Ajay Mitchell, available due to their injuries. As of this writing, they held a 101-91 lead heading into the fourth quarter at home, showing the grit and depth of their championship-winning roster.

Meanwhile, the Spurs are still young and inexperienced in the postseason, but they are certainly emerging as a strong NBA contender for years to come.

Depending on Tuesday night’s outcome, the Spurs either return home for a must-win Game 6 or a chance to close out the series in an upset over the defending champions. They’ll have the San Antonio fans back on their sides to hit SGA with the flopper chants once again.

More news:Donovan Mitchell Responds to LeBron James Possibly Joining Cavaliers

For more about the NBA, head over to Newsweek Sports.

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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 8:08 PM.

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