The Spurs will continue to be mindful of Wembanyama’s health not just for his career, but for the benefit of the entire NBA.
Victor Wembanyama has officially made his appearance on the San Antonio Spurs' Tuesday clash against the Memphis Grizzlies after missing the last two games due to left knee hyperextension.
Victor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama
MIN: 29.53
PTS: 24.05 (61.14%)
REB: 11.45
As: 3.27
ST: 0.82
BL: 2.86
TO: 3.14
GM: 22
But the Spurs will continue to operate with a cautious approach in maintaining his wellness, as Wembanyama will come off the bench on a strict minute restriction.
"He put in a lot of work, we've seen enough and Victor felt enough to give it a go," Johnson said. "We'll be extremely mindful of this situation as we have been and will continue to be. It's just going to be one of those living, breathing kinds of situations that we're going to continue to juggle and balance until we don't. And I would guess that won't be [only] this season."
Earlier this season, the Spurs have been careful already in keeping Wembanyama healthy amid injuries. After the French star missed 12 consecutive games due to a calf strain, the team made him a reserve for a significant stretch.
But after the new knee injury that Wembanyama sustained last week, Johnson and the Spurs can't be more careful now about his availability moving forward.
Even if Wembanyama is in danger of missing individual awards this season due to the NBA's 65-game eligibility ruling, the Spurs coach insisted that their main focus is in the long run.
"I think Victor being [22] is real. I think this team being at the early part of its journey is real. I think the success we've had, whether it was expected or not, is real," Johnson said.
"So, yes. What is the priority of all of that? I do know his long-term health and making sure we keep that kid from himself in terms of his competitiveness. We want him to be healthy for years, not for trying to win the next couple of games whatever it may be. I do know that. All the other stuff, I think it's real. I just don't know where it all falls. That's why we continuously have these conversations, and we don't put anything in stone."
Since he arrived in 2023, Wembanyama has been touted as the next face of the NBA. Possessing a generational talent and a unique mixture of length, skill and athleticism, he is expected to become one of the all-time greats when it's all said and done.
For this, Johnson is steadfast in embracing the bigger picture for Wembanyama, aiming to preserve his health for years, not just for the Spurs but for the entire basketball.
"Vic gets discussed, asked about, and opinionated on probably as much as any player in this league. The one thing that is very consistent from him is he's just very direct and straightforward," Johnson said. "So, his pitch is always, 'I can play. I'm ready to go. I'm good to go.' So, you respect that, and you love that mentality and competitiveness.
"It also continues to remind us as an organization and the few people having those conversations with him that we have a duty to support him in a way that is in the best interest of him now and for a very long time because he's too important to this league. He deserves that."
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