Victor Wembanyama
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Victor Wembanyama during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in December 2025
Victor Wembanyama endured another brief injury scare on Thursday night after making knee-to-knee contact with Giannis Antetokounmpo under the basket early in the first quarter of the San Antonio Spurs‘ matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Frenchman immediately grabbed his knee and was visibly uncomfortable before walking off the floor unassisted and heading to the locker room for evaluation.
The moment prompted concern given his recent injury history, but the scare proved short-lived. He returned to the bench not long after and re-entered the game, finishing with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks in just 21 minutes.
Wembanyama knocked down five of his six three-point attempts as San Antonio pulled away for a 119-101 victory.
San Antonio Spurs Receive Reassuring Update From Wembanyama
Relief quickly followed for the Spurs and their fanbase once Wembanyama returned to action. Speaking after the game, the 22-year-old downplayed the collision, describing it as uncomfortable but not serious.
“I did not think it was serious because it was just knee to knee, and I’ve had this dozens of times, but never against a guy like [Antetokounmpo],” he told reporters. “That was a little more than usual, but thankfully it’s a very benign thing.”
“It’s feeling well, better than I expected. I mean, it’s feeling well for this part of the season. Of course, sore from everywhere, just like everybody in the league. Tired just like everybody. I would think some of my joints would be a little more hurting looking back at what happened in previous games, but actually I’m fine. It shows progress.”
While knee-to-knee contact is common in the NBA, the force involved when colliding with one of the league’s most physical players naturally raises alarms. For a player of Wembanyama’s size and importance, any knee related incident draws heightened scrutiny.
“On a night like tonight, especially going up against a guy like Giannis, I think you have to be ready to give up your body for this matchup,” he added.“No matter what, you’re not going to get out of there 100%. But usually, unfortunately, we have to be smart, and I have to be smart about it and not take too many risks.”
The caution is understandable given that the Spurs star suffered a hyperextended knee on December 31 against the New York Knicks on a similar play.
While early fears pointed toward a long-term issue, an MRI revealed no structural damage or ligament involvement. The injury was classified as a minor hyperextension, though it sidelined him for two games as a precaution.
Spurs Continue Careful Approach With Franchise Cornerstone
Thursday’s scare was not Wembanyama’s first setback this season. He previously missed 12 games with a left calf strain and required a gradual return, including minutes restrictions and appearances off the bench.
Through 27 games, Wembanyama is averaging 23.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting career-bests of 51.6% from the field and 37.7% from three-point range.
Those numbers clearly show his impact, but they also highlight the challenge facing San Antonio. They must continue finding the right balance between allowing Wembanyama to assert himself as a dominant force and protecting him from the cumulative wear of an NBA season.
Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson has previously emphasized that his 7-foot-4 center’s health will be evaluated on an ongoing basis rather than through rigid timelines.
“Every single day that will be the indicators of what ‘next’ looks like,” Johnson said. “We will be extremely mindful of the situation as we have been and will continue to be.”
Wembanyama’s calm response to repeated scares reflects both confidence and resilience, but the larger responsibility rests with the organization.
San Antonio has made it clear that medical assessments, not competitive urgency, will guide decisions.