Victor Wembanyama has been listed as uncertain for Wednesday’s sport in opposition to the Path Blazers, however “there’s confidence” he’ll go well with up for one of many Spurs’ final three video games, attaining award eligibility, in keeping with ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Wembanyama suffered the damage when he collided with Paul George within the second quarter of the Spurs’ Monday night time win over the 76ers. Initially, he went to the locker room solely to return to the sport earlier than asking to be subbed out earlier than the break. He was dominated out for the second half resulting from what was described by the workforce as a rib contusion.
The massive man underwent X-rays, which got here again adverse, however he was anticipated to have extra assessments, in keeping with what Charania mentioned in an earlier look on ESPN’s NBA At present. It appears the outcomes have been encouraging, since he hasn’t been listed as out for the subsequent sport. Nonetheless, being listed as uncertain means he’s impossible to play.
Rib contusions don’t are inclined to trigger many missed video games, with the typical time sitting out being 4.4 days and 1.1 video games, in keeping with Jeff Stotts of In Avenue Garments, an athletic coach who has been documenting NBA accidents for years.
The Spurs have three video games left and have claimed the second seed within the West. Usually, they might err on the facet of warning even when the whole lot seems good and shut down Wembanyama for the remainder of the common season. The issue is, not suiting up in opposition to the Path Blazers, Mavericks, and Nuggets may price Wembanyama some essential particular person accolades.
Wembanyama must play 20 minutes or extra for another sport to get to the misguided 65-game threshold the NBA imposes to be eligible for end-of-season awards. If he does, he’s the favourite to win Defensive Participant of the Yr, an MVP candidate, and a probable first-team All-NBA choice. Playoff success is the last word aim, however Wemby deserves recognition for a implausible 12 months, which may very well be denied if he can’t play a minimum of as soon as extra within the common season.
Stephon Citadel has additionally been listed as uncertain for the matchup in opposition to the Path Blazers resulting from proper knee soreness, per the Spurs’ damage report.
Wembanyama is averaging 24.8 factors, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, a steal, and a league-leading 3.1 blocks in simply 29.2 minutes per sport this season.
