The San Antonio Spurs faced another setback as forward Victor Wembanyama exited Wednesday’s game against the New York Knicks due to a lower-body injury. The incident occurred early in the fourth quarter and left fans and teammates concerned.
Details of the Injury
Wembanyama suffered the injury while attempting to grab a relatively routine rebound. He landed awkwardly and appeared to hyper-extend his left knee. After the incident, he remained on the court as the Knicks transitioned to offense.
Assistance and Reaction
- Spurs forward Kelly Olynyk committed an intentional foul to allow for a stoppage and facilitate Wembanyama’s assessment.
- Guards Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox assisted him as he hobbled off the court.
- Wembanyama made his way to the locker room without outside help.
Performance Prior to Injury
Before exiting, Wembanyama had a remarkable game, contributing 31 points on 10-of-12 shooting. He also recorded 13 rebounds and one block in just under 24 minutes. His prior performance this season had been impressive, averaging 24.0 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 3.0 blocks across 20 games.
Recent Health History
This injury is particularly unfortunate as Wembanyama had recently returned from an extended absence. He missed 12 consecutive games due to a calf injury, coming back to the Spurs roster on December 13. Initially, he played off the bench for six games before rejoining the starting lineup last Saturday.
Context of NBA Injuries
The timing of Wembanyama’s injury raises concerns, especially as it follows a similar incident with Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić, who hyper-extended his knee and is sidelined for at least four weeks.
Outlook
The Spurs organization will monitor Wembanyama’s condition closely. Further evaluations are expected to clarify the extent and implications of this injury on his season.
