Key Highlights
- Victor Wembanyama is expected to return from a left calf strain for the San Antonio Spurs in Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinal against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
- The 21-year-old center has not played since November 14 and was listed as probable on Friday’s Spurs injury report.
- San Antonio beat the Los Angeles Lakers to advance to Las Vegas, where they will face a tough matchup with the defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder.
Victor Wembanyama Returns for San Antonio Spurs in NBA Cup Semifinal
NBA star Victor Wembanyama is set to return from injury just as the San Antonio Spurs need him most. After missing nearly a month with a left calf strain, the 21-year-old center has been listed as probable on Friday’s Spurs injury report and expressed his readiness for Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinal against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Las Vegas.
The timing of Wembanyama’s return couldn’t be more crucial. The Spurs advanced to the semifinals after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers, but they will face a formidable opponent in the Thunder, who boast the best 25-game start in NBA history at 24-1.
Coach Mitch Johnson anticipates that Wembanyama will play with a minutes restriction and expects him to be subbed out early.
Wembanyama has been pushing for clearance since suffering his injury on November 14, but the team maintained an abundance of caution. “It’s a lot of trust that comes into play both ways,” Wembanyama said. “I know I have a chance to be around the best staff in the world, so I trust them very much.” He also acknowledged the challenge of accepting their advice, stating, “But it’s true if it was only me, I would have came back earlier. But I think it’s more reasonable to do this way, to listen to them and do as they said.”
The Spurs’ 9-3 record without Wembanyama during his absence speaks volumes about the impact he has on their game. The center averaged a stellar 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 3.6 blocks in just 12 games this season.
His return could be the key to the Spurs’ success against the Thunder.
Wembanyama’s comeback is not without its challenges. The team has been playing an uptempo offense that thrived during his absence, with De’Aaron Fox’s return catalyzing their offensive evolution. “I’ve been really proud,” Wembanyama said. “Of course, it’s been hard to watch from my couch, but almost every night, they have proven (to) me that I have nothing to worry about.” He expressed optimism that the team is closer to “ideal basketball” with everyone stepping up and taking on responsibilities.
The challenge now lies in maintaining the same energy and performance with all players involved. Can the Spurs’ best player blend seamlessly into their existing game plan? If they can make it work, it could be a beautiful sight to watch as they face off against one of the NBA’s top teams.