Victor Wembanyama is nearing his return from the calf strain that has sidelined him since mid-November.
But he won’t make that return for the NBA Cup quarterfinals. Previously listed as questionable, Wembanyama was ruled out by the Spurs on Tuesday night for Wednesday’s NBA Cup game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Wembanyama has been sidelined due to his injury since Nov. 14. Wednesday’s game will mark the 12th straight that he has missed while injured.
The Spurs, however, have thrived in Wembanyama’s absence, going 8-3 in the games he has missed. They’re off to a 16-7 start and earned the No. 3 seed in the West in the NBA Cup knockout round. If they’re going to advance, they’ll do so without their superstar center.
Victor Wembanyama’s return to the court will have to wait.
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
That will mean continued reliance on De’Aaron Fox (24.3 ppg, 6.5 apg), Stephon Castle (17.4 ppg, 7.4 apg) and Devin Vassell (15.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg) to carry the load in Wembanyama’s absence.
It has been a formula for success so far. But the Spurs are certainly hoping they don’t have to lean on it much longer.
Wembanyama practiced with his Spurs teammates on Sunday ahead of a Monday win over the Pelicans. It was a welcome sight for his teammates and head coach Mitch Johnson.
“It was a pretty cool moment,” Johnson said, per the San Antonio Express-News. “I’m looking forward to getting [Wembanyama] back. He’s getting closer.”
When Wembanyama does return, he’ll do so for a Spurs team in position to make its first run to the postseason since 2019 out of a loaded Western Conference.
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