By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 23:10 GMT, 1 January 2026 | Updated: 23:11 GMT, 1 January 2026
SAN ANTONIO (AP) - The San Antonio Spurs say an MRI showed center Victor Wembanyama sustained no ligament damage in his injured left knee, and their All-Star center will not play Friday in Indiana.
The Spurs said Thursday that Wembanyama´s status is day-to-day. He did not travel with the team to face the NBA-worst Pacers (6-28), and instead will rehabilitate the injury in San Antonio.
Wembanyama hyperextended his left knee with just under 11 minutes remaining in [San Antonio's 134-132 victory over the New York Knicks](https://apnews.com/article/spurs-knicks-score-wembanyama-brunson-f48026f9c1b30307c9e5ea3bee08c15e) on Wednesday.
Wembanyama said he felt fine after the game and expected to play Friday against the Pacers, but said San Antonio's medical staff could decide otherwise depending on tests.
"It´s a good thing it was just a hyperextension," Wembanyama said. "It should be minimal, whatever this thing is."
Wembanyama was injured while leaping to gather an offensive rebound over Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns with 10:32 left in the rematch of the NBA Cup final. Wembanyama lost possession when he landed. Replays showed there was no contact with a defender, but Wembanyama´s left foot slid forward.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) celebrates a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Wembanyama remained on the court while New York went on offense. Spurs forward Kelly Olynyk intentionally committed a foul so the Spurs could check on Wembanyama. Spurs guards Stephon Castle and De´Aaron Fox helped Wembanyama get up before he hobbled straight to the locker room unassisted.
Wembanyama was heard yelling "I´ll be back!" several times to the fans as he ran through the tunnel toward the locker room while emphatically throwing his hands down.
Wembanyama returned to San Antonio's bench with 1:22 remaining in the game without a limp and watched as the Spurs rallied to beat the Knicks.
Wembanyama is averaging 24.3 points and 11.7 rebounds for the Southwest Division-leading Spurs (24-9).
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San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) guards New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)