San Antonio, TX — Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said Friday he expects rookie center Victor Wembanyama to play in Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinal against the Oklahoma City Thunder, though the 7-foot-4 standout will likely log fewer minutes than usual.
“He’s going to be tired — the excitement, the mental fatigue,” Johnson told reporters. “I would expect an early sub and not his normal minutes.” Wembanyama has missed every game since Nov. 14 with a left calf strain but is officially listed as probable.
According to Johnson, the 21-year-old has “pushed hard” behind the scenes to return. Wembanyama acknowledged he hoped to play sooner but deferred to the club’s medical staff. “I would have come back earlier, but it is more reasonable to listen to them,” he said.
San Antonio has gone 9-3 without its top pick. “The brand of basketball we were playing — it’s getting closer to the ideal,” Wembanyama noted. “Everybody can step up at any time. Everybody trusts the next teammate.”
Fox, Castle, Harper Finding Quick Rhythm
Although they have shared the court for only two games, guards De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper have already shown strong chemistry. In Wednesday’s quarterfinal victory over the Lakers, the trio combined for 63 points, 17 rebounds, 12 assists and three steals in 78 minutes of action.
“Each of them is different, and their games complement each other,” forward Harrison Barnes said. “They’re all trying to make the right play and investing time off the court for that chemistry.”
Castle Buys Into Connecticut Soccer Teams
Castle, a former UConn star, has purchased an ownership stake in two professional expansion soccer clubs in Connecticut. “It was the right choice to start at my age and give back to the state for what they’ve done for me,” he told Andscape. “I just wanted to put my name out there and have it build as my career goes on.”
The rookie guard said the investment offers “another great idea” to pursue alongside his NBA career.
Source: Hoops Rumors
