Spurs’ Wembanyama exits late with hyperextended knee, anticipates rapid return
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San Antonio — Victor Wembanyama limped to the locker room in the fourth quarter of the San Antonio Spurs’ 134-132 home victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night after his left knee buckled while battling for a rebound.
The 7-foot-4 center later said preliminary evaluations showed only a hyperextension and no additional damage. “I was this close to coming back in the game,” Wembanyama told reporters. “It was just a hyperextension, so it should be minimal. We’ll check everything tomorrow, but I expect to be back the next game.” Further testing is scheduled for Thursday.
The injury occurred with 10:32 remaining and the Spurs trailing 106-92. Wembanyama immediately grabbed his left knee before teammate Stephon Castle helped him to his feet. The sellout crowd of 18,062 at Frost Bank Center applauded as he hobbled off under his own power, reassuring Castle and fans that he was “fine.”
Wembanyama reappeared on the bench with 1:22 left, wearing team warm-ups but did not return to the floor. Head coach Mitch Johnson said seeing the third-year star finish the night alongside teammates offered optimism. “Obviously, he finished the game on the bench with his teammates,” Johnson noted. “That made me feel good.”
Despite the shortened night, Wembanyama posted 31 points and 13 rebounds in 24 minutes. He previously missed 12 games earlier this season with a left calf strain, returning on Dec. 13 in the NBA Cup semifinals against Oklahoma City and reclaiming his starting role on Dec. 27 versus Utah. He entered Wednesday averaging 24.0 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.0 blocks.
Source: ESPN
