Ankle Soreness Keeps Wembanyama Out vs. Nuggets; Spurs Mull Small-Ball Options
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San Antonio rookie standout Victor Wembanyama was scratched moments before Thursday’s 128-121 loss to the Denver Nuggets due to soreness in his right ankle. The 7-4 center completed warmups wearing a protective brace but was ruled out once trainers determined the joint was still tender, head coach Mitch Johnson told reporters.
“There was a chance he could play,” Johnson said. “But it was clear it was the right decision. We didn’t want to risk anything.” Johnson added that he does not expect the issue to linger.
The absence snapped Wembanyama’s streak of 30 consecutive appearances, the longest run of his NBA career. He had last sat on January 30 against Portland because of a knee ailment. The Spurs, who led by as many as 20, surrendered a pair of 40-point quarters without their defensive anchor.
Johnson said the club hopes Wembanyama can return for Saturday afternoon’s home game with Charlotte. “I do, but that doesn’t mean he will,” the coach cautioned. “It’s going to be wait-and-see.”
Small-Ball Trial Continues
San Antonio deployed extended small-ball lineups Thursday, using forwards Carter Bryant and Keldon Johnson in the middle. Mitch Johnson noted the approach remains under evaluation for potential playoff use. “Different games have different personalities and matchups,” he said. “We’ve seen some positives when we’ve gone small, and tonight was probably the largest sample size.”
Barnes Returns, Minutes Crunch Ahead
Veteran forward Harrison Barnes logged 27 minutes off the bench after missing five games with a left ankle impingement, scoring 20 points. Rookie Carter Bryant, meanwhile, was limited to nine minutes, underscoring an impending rotation decision as the postseason nears.
Award Eligibility in Sight
The Spurs intend for Wembanyama to reach the 65-game threshold required for postseason awards. Thursday marked his 15th missed contest, leaving room for only two additional absences the rest of the regular season.
Source: Hoops Rumors
