‣ San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama is expected to miss the final game of their three-game road trip due to a right ankle sprain, as announced by coach Gregg Popovich.
‣ Wembanyama, who is the odds-on favorite to win NBA Rookie of the Year, rolled his ankle during a game against Houston, marking the seventh game he has missed this season.
‣ Despite his injury, Wembanyama has had an impressive season, averaging 20.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and leading the league with 3.4 blocks per game through 56 starts.
Pop says he thinks Victor Wembanyama will miss the next two games – tonight against the Kings and Saturday against the Warriors – with his injury and be ready to go Monday against the Warriors at home.
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez)
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Oh boy, the San Antonio Spurs are in a bit of a pickle, aren’t they? Their rookie sensation, Victor Wembanyama, has gone and sprained his right ankle. Coach Gregg Popovich spilled the beans Thursday night. So, it looks like Wemby’s sitting out the final game of their road trip. Tough break.
They just couldn’t catch a break against the Sacramento Kings, losing a nail-biter, 131-129. And now, they’re off to face the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night. Without Wembanyama, who was a no-go against Sacramento.
Popovich seemed hopeful, though. Before the game on Thursday, he mentioned, “He’ll probably miss these two games and hopefully be ready for Monday.” Fingers crossed, right?
And get this – despite the hiccup, Wembanyama is still the hot favorite to snag the NBA Rookie of the Year title. The betting sites are buzzing. Even Chet Holmgren from Oklahoma City Thunder is in the mix with some decent odds.
Pop’s words echoed on Twitter, hinting at Wembanyama’s benching for the next couple of games due to his injury. They’re aiming for a Monday comeback against the Warriors, but this time on their home court.
Wembanyama’s injury saga began in the second quarter against Houston on Tuesday. It was a rough night, marking his seventh absence. If he misses the game against the Warriors, it’ll be his first time out for back-to-back games. Quite the season he’s having, huh?
The twist in the tale came earlier in the week. Wembanyama was listed as questionable for the Rockets game due to left shoulder soreness. Yet, he powered through. Only to tweak his right ankle and favor his right hip during the game. Talk about bad luck.
Despite the setback, the 7-foot-4 giant returned to play in the second half against the Rockets. But something was off. He didn’t attempt a single shot after halftime. Popovich later admitted they didn’t realize how much the injury affected him until they reviewed the game footage. Now, they’re taking no chances with his recovery.
In a brighter spotlight, Wembanyama’s been a defensive marvel. Leading the block charts in March, he’s outshining the competition with fewer minutes on the court. The kid’s special, no doubt.
Through 56 games, all starts, Wembanyama’s stats are through the roof. Averaging 20.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, and leading the league with 3.4 blocks per game. His shooting accuracy? Stellar. He’s a force to be reckoned with, leading the NBA with 193 blocks and boasting a top-notch defensive rating.
As for the Spurs, they’re gearing up to host the Warriors on Monday. With a record that’s seen better days, they’re hoping to turn things around at home. It’s been a rough season, but hope springs eternal in the heart of a Spurs fan.
