Wembanyama Returns to Action, But Doubt Persists
The San Antonio Spurs star, Victor Wembanyama, made his expected return on Tuesday, despite the 106-105 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. The player had been absent in the previous two games due to a bone contusion in his left knee. Similar to the recovery process of a calf strain that kept him out for 12 games at the beginning of the season, Wembanyama came off the bench in his return. He finished the game with 30 points in 21 minutes of play.According to a source, Wembanyama is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers. He is expected to play against the Lakers if he has no residual discomfort after Tuesday’s game. The knee injury occurred in the game against the New York Knicks on New Year’s Day, while fighting for a rebound. After falling to the court, Wembanyama immediately grabbed his left knee and complained of pain. Wembanyama missed the rest of the game, and an MRI the next day revealed that he suffered no damage to the ligaments in the knee that he hyperextended. Wembanyama has been absent for 14 games due to injuries and can only miss four more before losing eligibility for postseason awards. Johnson was asked if the league’s 65-game rule has been a consideration.He put in a lot of work and we’ve seen enough to give him a chance. We will be extremely careful with this situation, as we have been and will continue to be. It will be a dynamic situation that we will continue to balance until we can no longer do so. And I guess that won’t just be this season.
Johnson
Wembanyama leads San Antonio in scoring (24.0), rebounds (11.6), and blocks (3.0).There are many variables at play. That’s one of them. I don’t know what the word is. I think it’s “real”. I think Victor, at 22 years old, is real. I think this team, in the first part of its journey, is real. I think the success we’ve had, whether expected or not, is real.
Johnson
The only thing that is very consistent is that it is very direct and simple. His speech is always: “I can play. I’m ready to play. I’m fine.” So you respect that, and you love that mentality and competitiveness. He also continues to remind us as an organization that we have a duty to support him in a way that is in his best interest now and for a long time, because he is too important for this league. He deserves it.
Johnson
