Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Questionable against Memphis
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Wembanyama (knee) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Grizzlies, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Wembanyama went through 5-on-5 portions of practice Monday, and he'll be re-evaluated following Tuesday's morning shootaround. If the superstar big man is available, his presence would likely eat into the playing time of Luke Kornet. However, Wembanyama hasn't played more than 28 minutes since Nov. 14, starting only three of his past nine appearances as the Spurs continue to be cautious with their superstar big man.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Likely to travel to Memphis
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Wembanyama (knee) is likely to travel to Memphis for Tuesday's game against the Grizzlies, Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com reports.
According to head coach Mitch Johnson, Wembanyama is "looking really good," and he expects the big man to join the team on the trip. He also said the star center is day-to-day. The Spurs have been super cautious with Wembanyama previously, and it's worth mentioning that Tuesday's game is the front end of a back-to-back set.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Won't play Friday
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Wembanyama's MRI on his left knee came back clean, though he will not travel with the Spurs for Friday's game against Indiana, Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com reports.
Wembanyama hyperextended his left knee in Wednesday's win over the Knicks and will stay in San Antonio to receive additional care Friday. Although the star big man is set to miss Friday's road matchup at the very least, Wright relayed that Wembanyama is likely to be listed as questionable for Saturday's home game against the Trail Blazers. With the 21-year-old unavailable against Indiana, Luke Kornet will likely get the starting nod, while Jeremy Sochan and Kelly Olynyk are also candidates for increased playing time.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Fails to return Wednesday
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Wembanyama (knee) did not return to Wednesday's win over the Knicks. He finished with 31 points (10-12 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 9-10 FT), 13 rebounds, one assist and one block in 24 minutes.
The Spurs have yet to release an update after Wembanyama suffered an apparent knee injury at the end of the third quarter. For what it's worth, he did return to the bench for the final 1:22 of regulation, but he was wearing sandals. He did not have any noticeable limp, however. For now, he can be considered questionable for Friday against the Pacers. Per Shams Charania of ESPN, initial tests showed Wembanyama avoided a major injury, but he is dealing with a slight hyperextension in his left knee. After the game, the superstar center said, "I'm feeling good, just sore. I was close to coming back into the game, but they had to hold me back. I expect to be back next game. I'm not sure what [the medical staff] expects."
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Limps to locker room
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Wembanyama left Wednesday's game against the Knicks with an apparent knee issue, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reports.
Wembanyama came down awkwardly and was in some obvious pain. He hobbled straight back to the locker room, and it remains to be seen if he'll be able to finish out this contest.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Strong showing in loss
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Wembanyama registered 26 points (7-16 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 10-12 FT), 14 rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in 27 minutes during Monday's 113-101 loss to the Cavaliers.
Wembanyama was one of the lone bright spots for San Antonio, pacing his team in scoring and rebounding. The big man has put together a pair of huge performances since returning to the starting lineup and is finally starting to see his workload increase after sitting around the 20-minute mark in his first five matchups since being cleared to return from a calf strain.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Drops 32 points
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Wembanyama generated 32 points (12-21 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 8-8 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and five blocks across 28 minutes of Saturday's 127-114 loss to Utah.
Wembanyama's 28 minutes played were his most since returning from a 12-game absence Dec. 13. He hit the five-block milestone for the fifth time this season and scored at least 30 points for the fifth time. Now back in the starting lineup after coming off the bench in six straight games, Wembanyama will likely still have his minutes monitored moving forward, but it looks like the Spurs are slowly easing him into a larger role.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Double-double from second unit
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Wembanyama finished with 19 points (6-12 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 5-5 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal over 26 minutes off the bench during Thursday's 117-102 victory over Oklahoma City.
For the sixth straight game since returning from a calf strain, Wembanyama was deployed with the second unit, but his 26 minutes represented his biggest workload during that stretch. The third-year center has also logged a double-double in three of the last four contests, and since his return he's averaging 18.0 points, 9.5 boards, 2.7 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.2 threes in 21.5 minutes.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Passive performance Tuesday
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Wembanyama totaled 12 points (5-9 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds and three assists in 23 minutes during Tuesday's 130-110 win over the Thunder.
Wembanyama wasn't really a factor despite the win, producing arguably his worst performance of the season. He continues to come off the bench, having now played fewer than 24 minutes in all five games since returning from a calf injury. Given the recent frustrations, now could be a good time to try and execute a buy-low if you are of the opinion that his playing time will trend up in the next few games.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Cleared to play OKC
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Wembanyama (calf) is available for Tuesday's game against the Thunder, NBA reporter Matthew Tynan reports.
Wembanyama was initially listed as questionable as the Spurs continue to limit his workload following a 12-game absence due to a left calf strain, but the third-year center has officially been cleared to play. He made his return from the extended absence against the Thunder in the semifinals of the NBA Cup on Dec. 13, when he finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal over 21 minutes. Wembanyama has come off the bench in each of the four regular-season games since his return, and he'll continue to have his playing time monitored to reduce the risk of injury aggravation.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Goes through shootaround
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Wembanyama (calf) participated in Tuesday's morning shootaround, NBA reporter Matthew Tynan reports.
Wembanyama is listed as questionable on the official injury report, but his participation in the morning bodes well for his availability against the Thunder on Tuesday night. If he's unable to get the green light, guys like Kelly Olynyk and Luke Kornet could step into larger roles.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Questionable for Tuesday
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Wembanyama is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Thunder due to left calf injury management, Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com reports.
The Spurs continue to ease Wembanyama back to a full workload following a 12-game absence due to a left calf strain and could hold him out of Tuesday's contest. If the star big man is ultimately ruled out, Luke Kornet and Kelly Olynyk are candidates for increased minutes. Wembanyama has played in four regular-season games since the extended absence but has yet to log more than 21 minutes in any of them, averaging 19.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.5 blocks in 20.0 minutes per tilt over that stretch.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Double-doubles off bench
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Wembanyama posted 14 points (6-13 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 21 minutes during Sunday's 124-113 victory over the Wizards.
The Spurs continue to ease the superstar big man back into action, with Wembanyama coming off the bench for the fourth game in a row. Fantasy managers should remain patient with Wembanyama as he becomes further removed from a calf strain that recently cost him multiple weeks. He's still averaged 18.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 blocks in just 21.3 minutes per game over his past four outings.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Omitted from injury report
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Wembanyama (calf) isn't listed on the injury report ahead of Friday's game against the Hawks.
Wembanyama's status is worth noting because Friday is the second end of a back-to-back for the Spurs. The superstar big man is likely to have a minutes restriction following his recent lengthy layoff due to a strained calf, and it remains to be seen if the Spurs are ready to reinsert him into the starting lineup. Wembanyama has averaged only 19.0 minutes per game in his last two appearances, but he's still been productive, totaling 37 points (12-22 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 11-14 FT), 17 rebounds, six assists, six blocks and one steal.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Remaining in bench role
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Wembanyama will come off the bench Thursday night against Washington.
This marks the third straight game in which Wembanyama has been deployed off the bench. The Spurs are continuing to monitor his minutes closely, especially in the first half of a back-to-back. Luke Kornet will continue to run with the starters while Wembanyama comes off the bench.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Strong per-minute output in return
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Wembanyama (calf) posted 22 points (6-11 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 9-12 FT), nine rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal across 21 minutes in Saturday's 111-109 win over the Thunder.
For the first time in his NBA career, Wembanyama came off the bench Saturday following a 12-game absence due to a left calf strain. Despite playing limited minutes, the star big man impressed in his return, finishing as the Spurs' leading rebounder while tying the second-highest scoring total on the team. He also recorded a team-best plus-21 point differential and a game-high two blocks in his limited run. Wembanyama and the Spurs will face the Knicks in the NBA Cup title game Tuesday, and it will be worth monitoring whether he remains on a similar minutes restriction and/or moves back into the starting five.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Available Saturday
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Wembanyama (calf) is available for Saturday's game against the Thunder.
Wembanyama hasn't played since Nov. 14 due to a left calf strain, though he'll return from a 12-game absence in Saturday's NBA Cup Semifinals matchup. While the star big man is expected to face restrictions in his first game back following the extended absence, his return will likely mean fewer minutes for Luke Kornet and Kelly Olynyk. Wembanyama has appeared in 12 regular-season games thus far, during which he has averaged 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 3.6 blocks and 1.1 steals in 34.7 minutes per contest.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Expected to play Saturday
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Wembanyama (calf) is expected to play in Saturday's game against the Thunder, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Wembanyama has been sidelined by a calf strain since Nov. 14, but he's been traveling with the Spurs on their current road trip and is closing in on a return. Final clearance on his status was expected to be determined following Friday's practice, though San Antonio has officially listed the superstar big man as probable on its injury report. Wembanyama's presence would dampen the fantasy appeal of Luke Kornet considerably. However, the superstar center is likely to face restrictions when given the green light.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Could return Wednesday
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Head coach Mitch Johnson said Wembanyama (calf) will travel with the Spurs for Wednesday's game against the Lakers, though he isn't guaranteed to suit up, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Wembanyama hasn't played since Nov. 14 due to a left calf strain but appears to be nearing a return, as he was a full participant in Sunday's practice. The star big man can be considered highly questionable for Wednesday's NBA Cup quarterfinals matchup. If he's unable to play, Luke Kornet is expected to remain in the starting lineup, while Kelly Olynyk and Jeremy Sochan will likely back him up.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Back at practice, return date TBD
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Wembanyama (calf) was a full participant during Sunday's practice, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Wembanyama hasn't played since Nov. 14 due to a left calf strain but appears to be nearing a return to game action. McDonald previously relayed that Wembanyama appeared unlikely to play at all during the NBA Cup consolation schedule, which would've ruled the superstar out for Monday's game in New Orleans and Wednesday's road matchup against the Lakers. However, after Wembanyama participated in Sunday's practice, McDonald is reporting that the third-year phenom can be considered "iffy" for Wednesday's contest, while still being unlikely to play Monday. While the update is encouraging for Wembanyama, it's still far from clear when he'll suit up again. Following the two NBA Cup games, the Spurs return to action at home against the Wizards on Dec. 17.
