Wembanyama on track to rejoin Spurs for Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinal
wembanyama-on-track-to-rejoin-spurs-saturday
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama is expected to return Saturday for the NBA Cup semifinal against the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The club has listed him as “probable.”
The 21-year-old French star has missed the last 12 games after straining his left calf on November 14. Team officials signaled earlier in the week that he was nearing full clearance, and head coach Mitch Johnson said after Wednesday’s quarterfinal win there was a “very much so” chance the big man could suit up for the next round.
Before the injury, Wembanyama was producing MVP-level numbers, averaging 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.6 blocks in 34.6 minutes. San Antonio opened the season 8-4 during that stretch.
In his absence, the Spurs have stayed in the Western Conference race by going 9-3. The team’s defense slipped from sixth to 20th in league rating after November 15, but its offense improved from 12th to sixth.
Assuming no late setback, Saturday would mark the first time Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper are all available together. San Antonio will try to hand the 24-1 Thunder a rare loss and earn a berth in Tuesday’s NBA Cup championship game.
Source: Hoops Rumors
