Injuries remain the only thing that can slow down Victor Wembanyama.
The expectation is that the San Antonio Spurs superstar center will do the same missing in the coming weeks due to a left calf strain, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The injury occurred during San Antonio’s Friday game against the Golden State Warriors. He was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Sacramento Kings but was ruled out before tipoff.
The Spurs are taking no chances with the health of their franchise superstar, who underwent an MRI exam on Sunday and will be re-evaluated in two to three weeks.
“Obviously we’ve seen in this league lately that calf density is not something you want to take lightly,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said Sunday. “I don’t want to push it there.”
The 21-year-old Wembanyama got off to an electric start in his third NBA season. Through twelve games, the former first overall pick averaged 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, four assists and a leading 3.6 blocks per game (the next closest is a three-way tie at 2.2).
The 7-foot unicorn has been the foundation for a growing Spurs squad that owns a 9-4 record – good for fifth in the West – and boasts a solid sixth net rating on defense.
Apparently a bull’s eye to take home the Defensive Player of the Year award – and certainly an early case for MVP – Wembanyama now teeters on the brink of losing his bid for the award for the second year in a row.
The French phenomenon, which suffered from a season-ending shoulder injury Last year, he could miss 10 games if sidelined for three weeks, again limiting his ability to meet the NBA’s 65-game requirement to be eligible for individual awards.
Wembanyama would only need seven more absences to stay in the race, which becomes incredibly difficult when you take into account the typical ramp-up period for players returning from calf injuries – often limiting participation in back-to-backs.
The Spurs, looking to hold down the fort in Wembanyama’s absence, host the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday evening.
#Spurs #provide #brutal #injury #update #Victor #Wembanyama #exciting #start #season