San Antonio Spurs star center Victor Wembanyama is set to return to the court for limited minutes in the Emirates NBA Cup semifinal against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson indicated that Wembanyama, who has been sidelined for 12 games due to a left calf strain, is listed as probable to play on Saturday.
In a recent statement, Johnson noted, “There are still ongoing conversations on what that looks like, and he’s going to be tired. He was tired the first time I saw him play live against the video guys. So, I would expect an early sub and not his normal minutes.”
Wembanyama hasn’t played since November 14 and expressed that he felt “just a little tired” after completing the cardiovascular conditioning segment of his workout on Friday at T-Mobile Arena. He received medical clearance to participate following this training session.
Earlier in the week, Wembanyama initiated a return ramp-up by unexpectedly visiting teammates for a workout at Tulane University in preparation for an upcoming game against the New Orleans Pelicans. He progressed from 2-on-2 drills to participating in 5-on-5 practices in Los Angeles.
Johnson praised Wembanyama’s determination, stating, “He has been lobbying since the day it happened.” Wembanyama himself acknowledged the challenge of remaining inactive, saying, “Of course, it has been hard to watch from my couch. It’s a lot of trust that comes into play both ways… I had to trust the process.”
The injury Wembanyama sustained occurred during a game against the Golden State Warriors, and subsequent MRI scans revealed a strain that would initially keep him out for at least two weeks. During his absence, the Spurs thrived, winning nine of their next 12 games, including two crucial group games in the NBA Cup and a quarterfinal victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Currently, in his third season, Wembanyama is showcasing impressive performance metrics with averages of 26.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. Spurs veteran guard De’Aaron Fox emphasized the impact of Wembanyama’s return, stating, “We want him to continue to come out here and be himself… I think he adds to us offensively and defensively.”
As the Spurs prepare to face a formidable Thunder team with a historic record of 24-1 through 25 games, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Wembanyama’s return will influence the team’s performance in this crucial semifinal matchup. The other semifinal features the Orlando Magic taking on the New York Knicks at the same venue on Saturday.
