Several teams received mixed injury news on Wednesday night, highlighted by San Antonio rookie Victor Wembanyama’s brief scare, another blow to Denver’s frontcourt depth, and a multi-week absence for Los Angeles rookie Adou Thiero.
Spurs
Victor Wembanyama left the Spurs’ road loss on Wednesday with what the club called a hyperextended left knee, but the 7-foot-4 center quickly downplayed concerns.
“It looked worse than it felt,” Wembanyama told reporters, adding that he felt “just sore” and was close to returning before team trainers intervened. The injury occurred early in the fourth quarter when he landed awkwardly while fighting for an offensive rebound. He later walked to the bench without a limp and changed into slippers.
The 20-year-old expects to be available for Friday’s game in Indiana, though the medical staff will make the final call. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson said seeing Wembanyama finish the night on the bench with teammates was “encouraging.”
Nuggets
Denver’s injury list grew longer when center Jonas Valanciunas exited a 117-111 victory in Toronto with a non-contact right calf strain. Making his first start of the season in place of two-time MVP Nikola Jokić—out at least four weeks with a knee injury—Valanciunas posted 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three blocks in 23 minutes before departing.
Head coach David Adelman said the club does not yet know the severity of the strain. Valanciunas wore a walking boot after the game but left the arena under his own power.
The Nuggets are already missing Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun. If Valanciunas is sidelined, rookie DaRon Holmes II, who logged 22 minutes Wednesday in his fourth NBA appearance, is expected to see an expanded role.
Lakers
The Lakers announced that forward Adou Thiero suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee and will be reevaluated in approximately four weeks. The team is unsure when the injury occurred; Thiero logged a brief fourth-quarter stint during Tuesday’s loss to Detroit.
The 21-year-old had appeared in six consecutive games and 15 of the last 18 after missing the start of the season while recovering from college knee surgery. He is averaging 1.3 points and 1.2 rebounds in limited action.
Los Angeles is already short-handed on the wing, with Austin Reaves (calf strain), Gabe Vincent (lower back pain) and Rui Hachimura (right calf soreness) all dealing with injuries.
Source: Hoops Wire
