Victor Wembanyama Sidelined With Ankle Injury, Spurs Playoff Hopes In Jeopardy
Victor Wembanyama Sidelined With Ankle Injury, Spurs Playoff Hopes In Jeopardy...
San Antonio Spurs rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama will miss at least two weeks with a left ankle sprain, the team announced Monday. The 7-foot-4 French phenom suffered the injury during Sunday's 112-108 loss to the Denver Nuggets when he landed awkwardly after contesting a shot in the third quarter.
The timing couldn't be worse for the Spurs, who currently hold the 8th seed in the Western Conference with just seven games remaining in the regular season. Wembanyama's absence puts their playoff push in serious jeopardy as they face a brutal schedule including matchups against the Suns, Warriors, and Lakers.
Team doctors confirmed the injury isn't severe, but the recovery timeline means Wembanyama could miss the entire first round if San Antonio makes the playoffs. The 21-year-old had been averaging 22.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, and a league-leading 3.4 blocks per game in his Rookie of the Year campaign.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich told reporters Monday: "We'll be cautious with Vic. He's our future, and we won't rush him back." The injury sparked immediate reactions across the NBA world, with LeBron James tweeting "Get well soon young fella" and Kevin Durant calling it "a tough break for the league."
Fantasy basketball owners are scrambling to adjust their lineups, as Wembanyama had been a top-15 player in most formats. The injury also impacts the Rookie of the Year race, though Wembanyama remains the heavy favorite over Oklahoma City's Chet Holmgren.
Local businesses near the AT&T Center report ticket resale prices dropped nearly 30% following the injury announcement. The Spurs' next game is Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns, where backup center Zach Collins is expected to start in Wembanyama's place.
This marks Wembanyama's first significant injury since entering the NBA. The Spurs medical staff noted his previous durability in France's LNB Pro A league, where he missed just three games over two seasons. Team officials say they'll reevaluate his status on April 18.
