Victor Wembanyama Sits With Ankle Issue; Champagnie Sets Spurs Record, Pelicans Slide Continues, Rockets Face Roster Decisions
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LOS ANGELES — San Antonio center Victor Wembanyama missed last Thursday’s victory over the Clippers because of a lingering right ankle injury, head coach Mitch Johnson said. The 22-year-old, named an All-Star twice in his first three seasons, has battled the issue for “multiple weeks,” according to Johnson, who described the ankle as “still angry at him.” The club held Wembanyama out on the second night of a back-to-back for precautionary reasons.
With four regular-season games remaining, Wembanyama must appear in at least two to satisfy the league’s 65-game requirement for major postseason awards. He has played 62 times; the NBA Cup final counts toward the total even though its statistics are not officially recorded.
Champagnie Breaks Spurs Three-Point Mark
Fourth-year forward Julian Champagnie hit six three-pointers in Saturday’s overtime loss at Denver, pushing his season total to 192 and surpassing Danny Green’s franchise record of 191 set in 2014-15. “Any record you get to break in this league is a blessing,” the 24-year-old said after setting the new mark.
Pelicans Drop Eighth Straight
New Orleans squandered a 17-point lead in Friday’s defeat at Sacramento and fell four points short against Orlando at home the following night, extending its losing streak to eight. The Pelicans, who do not control their own first-round draft pick, have three games left to halt the skid.
Rockets Weigh Eason vs. Sheppard in Starting Five
Houston head coach Ime Udoka has alternated Tari Eason and rookie Reed Sheppard as the fifth starter over the past two weeks. Eason offers a steadier baseline, while No. 2 overall pick Sheppard brings a higher ceiling, according to The Athletic. “It doesn’t matter to us. We just want to win,” Sheppard said, noting that finishing games is more important than starting them.
Davison Hits Two-Way Limit
Guard JD Davison has reached the 50-game active limit for players on two-way contracts and cannot suit up for Houston’s final four contests unless promoted to the standard roster. The Rockets are currently at the under-15 player limit, meaning their other two-way players also remain ineligible unless the club adds a 15th man.
Source: Hoops Rumors
