At a Glance
- Spurs rule out Wembanyama for Saturday vs Trail Blazers
- He misses his 14th game this season, risking award eligibility
- Knee hyperextension last Wednesday, but no major damage
- Why it matters: Missing games threatens his postseason award chances and affects the Spurs’ roster plans
The San Antonio Spurs have announced that rookie star Victor Wembanyama will not play in Saturday’s matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers because of lingering knee soreness. The decision comes after the player suffered a hyperextension in the fourth quarter of the team’s win over New York on Wednesday. With this setback, Wembanyama’s season is already at its 14th missed game.
Spurs’ Decision and Award Implications
Spurs ruled him out for Saturday, citing knee soreness, and noted that he had also missed the game against Indiana on Friday. Under NBA rules, a player must appear in 65 of 82 regular-season games to qualify for most postseason awards, meaning Wembanyama could be in danger if he misses more than 17 contests. The team will not face another opponent until Tuesday’s game in Memphis.
- Knee soreness was the cited reason for the omission.
- He missed the previous game against Indiana.
- He has already missed 14 games this season.
Injury Details and Season Stats
Wembanyama was injured during the fourth quarter of the Wednesday win over New York, hyperextending his knee but avoiding major damage. He limped off but returned to the bench for the final minutes. The 2023 No. 1 pick, who earned rookie of the year honors last season and was named an All-Star, averages 24.3 points and 11.7 rebounds per game.
Key Takeaways
- Wembanyama’s 14th missed game puts him at risk for award eligibility.
- The Spurs’ next game is on Tuesday in Memphis.
- He averages 24.3 points and 11.7 rebounds per game.
With his 14th missed game already, the Spurs must weigh the risk of further injury against the potential impact on his award eligibility as the season progresses.
