NBA: Spurs star Wembanyama ruled out for multiple weeks with injury
The 21-year-old has had an electric start to the season
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama is expected to miss several weeks after suffering a left calf strain.
The team is choosing a careful approach with the 21-year-old, who had an MRI on Sunday. Reports claim that the Spurs plan to reassess his condition in two to three weeks as they monitor the injury.
Wembanyama was initially listed as questionable ahead of Sunday’s game because of tightness in his left calf, but he was ruled out shortly before tipoff.
San Antonio went on to defeat the Sacramento Kings without him in the line-up.
Coach Mitch Johnson emphasised the need to avoid taking risks, with the Frenchman recently coming back from a long-term problem.
“Obviously, we’ve seen around this league recently, the calf-tightness thing is not something you want to take lightly,” Johnson said on Sunday. “Don’t want to push it there.”
The injury comes after Wembanyama logged 38 minutes in a physical NBA Cup contest against the Golden State Warriors on Friday, where he delivered 26 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks.
It marked his third straight game with at least 25 points and 10 rebounds, tying the longest such stretch of his career.
With Wembanyama unavailable, the Spurs turned to off-season signing Luke Kornet, who started in his place on Sunday. Kornet contributed 13 points while shooting 5-for-5 and added three blocks.
The Spurs are also expected to lean more heavily on Kelly Olynyk and Bismack Biyombo during this stretch.
Now in his third NBA season, Wembanyama is producing career-best averages in points (26.2), rebounds (12.9) and assists (4.0), and he currently leads the league with 3.6 blocks per game.
Wembanyama was spotted in the locker room after Sunday’s victory wearing a small sleeve over his left calf. Despite the precaution, he did not appear to be in any visible discomfort.