Spurs’ Wembanyama ruled out for Saturday against Trail Blazers
wembanyama-to-miss-trail-blazers-game-knee
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama will not play Saturday night when the team hosts the Portland Trail Blazers, the club announced Saturday afternoon.
An MRI performed Thursday revealed no ligament damage to the left knee Wembanyama hyperextended during Wednesday’s 118-110 victory over the New York Knicks, league sources told ESPN. The 7-foot-4 star remained in San Antonio for treatment at the Victory Capital Performance Center instead of accompanying the team to Indianapolis for Friday’s 123-113 win over the Indiana Pacers.
Saturday’s absence will mark the 14th game Wembanyama has missed this season. Under NBA rules, a player must appear in 65 of 82 regular-season contests to qualify for most postseason awards, leaving the third-year standout room to sit out only three more games before falling below that threshold.
The Spurs do not play again until Tuesday, when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies.
Injury occurred late vs. Knicks
Wembanyama was hurt with 10:32 remaining in the fourth quarter Wednesday while fighting Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordan Clarkson for a rebound. After landing awkwardly, he clutched his knee and limped to the locker room under his own power. On his way out, he shouted to fans at Frost Bank Center, “I’ll be all right.” He later returned to the bench with 1:22 left, finishing the night with 31 points and 13 rebounds in 24 minutes.
Previous calf strain cost 12 games
Earlier this season, Wembanyama missed 12 games because of a left calf strain. He returned Dec. 13 for the NBA Cup semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, coming off the bench for six contests before rejoining the starting lineup Dec. 27 in a 127-114 loss to the Utah Jazz.
The 20-year-old leads San Antonio in scoring (24.3 points per game), rebounding (11.7) and blocks (2.9).
Source: ESPN
