San Antonio Spurs star center Victor Wembanyama is poised to make a limited return to the court on Saturday for the Emirates NBA Cup semifinal against the Oklahoma City Thunder. After missing 12 games due to a left calf strain, Wembanyama has been listed as probable for the game, but Spurs coach Mitch Johnson tempered expectations, indicating that Wembanyama will likely see reduced minutes.
Johnson revealed that ongoing discussions are taking place regarding Wembanyama’s playing time, noting that the young star had already shown signs of fatigue during his initial workouts. “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,” Johnson noted.
Wembanyama last played on November 14, and he expressed that he felt “just a little tired” after completing cardiovascular conditioning workouts at T-Mobile Arena on Friday. His efforts to return to the lineup have been characterized by a diligent ramp-up process, which included surprising teammates with a workout at Tulane University before their game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Over the week, he advanced from 2-on-2 drills to 5-on-5 activities, all aimed at regaining game readiness.
Coach Johnson highlighted Wembanyama’s eagerness to return, stating, “He has been lobbying since the day it happened.” Wembanyama concurred, admitting it has been challenging to watch from the sidelines. “It’s a lot of trust that comes into play both ways. I know I have a chance to be around the best staff in the world. So, I trust them very much,” he said. He acknowledged that while he has a strong awareness of his body, it was prudent to follow team protocols rather than rushing back to action.
Wembanyama’s injury occurred during a game against the Golden State Warriors last month, and following an MRI, the Spurs announced that he would miss at least two weeks. In his absence, the team managed to win nine out of 12 games, including their last two group matches of the NBA Cup and a quarterfinal victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
In his third season, Wembanyama is posting career highs with averages of 26.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. Fellow Spurs player De’Aaron Fox emphasized the importance of Wembanyama’s return, saying, “We want him to continue to come out here and be himself. We don’t want him to change the way that he plays. Obviously, with him missing time, I think we have been playing extremely well when he has been out. Him coming back into the fold, I think that adds to us offensively and defensively.”
The Spurs are set to face the Thunder, who boast an impressive record of 24-1, tying them for the best start through 25 games in NBA history. In the other semifinal matchup, the Orlando Magic will take on the New York Knicks at T-Mobile Arena.
