Victor Wembanyama left Wednesday’s game between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs with what he said postgame was a hyperextended knee.
The injury requires further testing, but Wembanyama was confident in a quick return to the court.
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The injury took place early in the fourth quarter, with the Knicks holding a 102-96 lead. Wembanyama appeared hyperextended his left 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 warm-ups with 1:20 remaining and stood while cheering on his teammates.
The Spurs didn’t provide any injury reports Wednesday, but Wembanyama offered one of his own in a surprise appearance at the postgame podium. Per ESPN’s Michael C. Wright, Wembanyama told reporters that he sustained a hyperextended knee.
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He added “I’ll be all right” and that “I expect to be back the next game.”
“I was this close to going back into the game, but they had to hold me back,” Wembanyama said.
Wembanyama said that he’ll undergo further testing of the injury on Thursday.
Wembanyama’s injury status is unclear
Coach Mitch Johnson didn’t offer any more information on the injury in his postgame news conference and told reporters before Wembanyama’s update that he hadn’t yet spoken with the Spurs’ medical staff.
“He finished the game on the bench with this teammates,” Johnson said. “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.”
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Spurs win despite Wemby’s injury
With Wembanyama sidelined, the Spurs rallied from a six-point deficit when he left the game for a 134-132 victory. The win took place two weeks after New York beat San Antonio in the NBA Cup final.
Julian Champagnie led the rally with 36 points while hitting a franchise-record 11 3-pointers on 17 attempts. All of his shots from the field came from beyond the arc.
Wembanyama tallied 31 points, 13 rebounds and 1 block in his most productive all-around game since he returned Dec. 13 from a calf strain that sidelined him for 12 games. The Spurs are certainly hoping that he comes back sooner than that from his latest injury.
