Victor Wembanyama will miss his second straight game after suffering a hyperextended left knee against the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.
The San Antonio Spurs star didn’t travel with the team to Indianapolis for Friday’s 123-113 win over the Indianapolis Pacers. He was reportedly expected to be questionable for Saturday night’s home meeting with the Portland Trail Blazers, but according to the NBA’s injury report Wembanyama has been ruled out with left knee soreness.
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After leaving Wednesday’s win over the Knicks Wembanyama was confident the injury wouldn’t sideline him for long.
“I was this close to going back into the game, but they had to hold me back,” Wembanyama said.
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The injury took place early in the fourth quarter, with the Knicks holding a 102-96 lead. Wembanyama appeared to injure his knee when landing after securing a rebound. He fell to the floor in pain and needed to be helped up.
He then limped to the locker room.
Wembanyama didn’t return to the game, but he walked to the bench in his warmups with 1:20 remaining and stood while cheering on his teammates.
“He finished the game on the bench with this teammates,” said Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson. “That made me feel good. I have no idea know what to say. But it was good to see him walk back out and be able to finish the game on the bench with his teammates.”
An MRI on Thursday came back clean, showing no damage to ligaments in Wembanyama’s left knee, according to ESPN’s Michael Wright.
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Following Saturday’s game with Portland, the Spurs have a busy week with a pair of back-to-backs. They travel to Memphis on Tuesday and will return home against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. They then begin a three-game road trip next Saturday in Boston, followed by a date in Minnesota next Sunday night.
Wembanyama missed 12 games earlier in the season due to a left calf strain before returning for the Dec. 13 NBA Cup semifinal.
