Victor Wembanyama injury update, news, San Antonio Spurs NBA Cup
Getty
The San Antonio Spurs just got a massive injury update on star Victor Wembanyama for their NBA Cup semifinal clash against the OKC Thunder.
TheSan Antonio Spurs have been without franchise star Victor Wembanyama for a few weekswith a calf strain, however, the latest update on the French center signals an injury return is coming soon.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Wembanyama is reportedly likely to return in the Spurs’ upcoming game.
“San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama is likely to return for Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Las Vegas, sources tell ESPN,” the insider wrote in a post on X. “Final clearance will come after today’s practice for Wembanyama,who’s been sidelined since Nov. 14 due to a calf strain.”
Shams Charania
San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama is likely to return for Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Las Vegas, sources tell ESPN. Final clearance will come after today’s practice for Wembanyama, who’s been sidelined since Nov. 14 due to a calf strain.
Wembanyama appeared in 12 games before going out with the calf strain.In that span, he averaged 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds,four assists, and 3.6 blocks per night on 50.2% shooting, with San Antoniohaving an 8-4 recordin that span to start the season.
Victor Wembanyama Injury Return Incoming
The Spurs potentially getting back their star player is massive, but his imminent return isn’t the most surprising news, considering his latest injury updates.
A few days ago, head coach Mitch Johnson told reporters that Wembanyama would travel with the team on their then-upcoming road trip, a signal that he would be able to return sometime in the next week.Though he participated in shootaround, Wembanyama did notend up playing in the Spurs’ NBA Cup quarterfinal winagainst the Los Angeles Lakers.
Following that game, Johnson told reporters that he was hopeful the team would have back their star for Saturday, if his practice went well and he was feeling good.
Jared Weiss
Mitch Johnson says Victor Wembanyama may return for the NBA Cup game against the Thunder Saturday:
“Very much so. He had a very good day today. He had a good intent day this morning and we’ll have to see how he responds and reacts tomorrow.”
Now, Charania’s latest updatepoints to a Wembanyama returnbeing closer than ever.
The French big manwas previously listedatop ESPN’s list of the best NBA players under 25years old, and he could very well suit up for the first time since mid-November in San Antonio’s semifinal matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Spurs Thriving Without Their Franchise Star
Despite not having one of the most impactful playersin the league, the Spurs’ recent performance hasn’t taken as big a hit as many would have expected.Their defense has dropped a bit without the league’s previous leading shotblocker, but overall, their other stars have stepped up.
In the backcourt, Stephon Castle, De’Aaron Fox, and the recently returned rookie Dylan Harper have all beenextremely impactful in Wembanyama’s absence. Additionally, Harrison Barnes, Devin Vassell, and Keldon Johnson have been solid on the wings, each yet to miss a game this season.
In the frontcourt, Luke Kornet and Kelly Olynyk have done well to replace the 7’5″ injured star. While San Antonio is now 17-7 and fifth in the West, they rank eighth in net rating, sixth in offensive rating, and 16th in defensive rating.
The Spurs are now in the hunt for the NBA Cup, which would be the team’s first trophy since winning the 2014 NBA Finals.Getting Wembanyama back from injury would be massive against the league-leading Oklahoma City team, as well as their title push for the rest of the season.