Stan Van Gundy Suggests Changing Victor Wembanyama's 'Alien' Nickname Amid Political Concerns
During an NBA Cup semifinal between the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder in Las Vegas, broadcaster Stan Van Gundy urged for a change to Victor Wembanyama's nickname, 'Alien,' citing concerns over the current political climate and deportation discussions. Play-by-play announcer Michael Grady noted that the nickname fits Wembanyama well, but Van Gundy pressed for reconsideration.
Wembanyama returned from a calf strain to play 21 minutes, contributing 22 points and 9 rebounds. The Spurs secured a narrow 111-109 victory over the Thunder, advancing to the NBA Cup finals against the New York Knicks. With this win, the Spurs improved their record to 18-7, while the Thunder's record dropped to 24-2. Devin Vassell also played a key role, scoring 23 points in the Spurs' win.
