San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama sidelined 3-4 weeks. He was ruled out ahead of the team’s stunning win over the Sacramento Kings, due to tightness in his left calf. He had been considered a game-time decision earlier in the day. This created a sense of panic over his health from fans and team personnel alike.
Wembanyama, 21, is having a historic third season. He’s putting up career-highs of 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 4.0 dimes per contest. On the other end, he’s no slouch either as he’s proven to be a defensive anchor, currently leading the league in blocks per game (3.6). His performance is one part of what’s made the Spurs so competitive this season.
In his matchup against the Golden State Warriors on Friday night, Wembanyama hit the floor for a jaw-dropping 38 minutes. He led the team with 26 points, corralled 12 rebounds, distributed 4 assists, and swatted 3 shots. He scored 25 points or more and pulled down 10-plus rebounds for the third consecutive game. This streak now matches the longest of his career.
After the game against Sacramento, Wembanyama walked into the locker room with a sleeve covering his bruised left calf. He continued to concentrate on rehabbing and strengthening his body. Luckily, he showed no signs of distress in it, which was good because without it there seemed barely a glimmer of hope for his quick recovery.
Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said fans should be careful not to overreact to Wembanyama’s injury. He stated, “Obviously, we’ve seen around this league recently, the calf-tightness thing is not something you want to take lightly.” Johnson added, “Don’t want to push it there,” highlighting the team’s commitment to prioritize Wembanyama’s long-term health over short-term gains.
Fortunately, Wembanyama is well on his way. In the meantime, the Spurs will need to depend on their other key contributors to make plays and fill the gaps he’s left. It was his defensive versatility and offensive movement that his team will miss the most. They’re proceeding with caution as they move through a make-or-break time of year.
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