It possibly took rather a lot longer than many anticipated (19 video games, to be particular), however Victor Wembanyama will miss the primary sport of his NBA profession tonight on the dwelling of former prime general decide Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans. It’s the second night time of a back-to-back following final night time’s high-paced loss at dwelling to the Atlanta Hawks.
Victor Wembanyama will miss his first sport of the season tonight in New Orleans. Kinda noticed this coming. Although he stated final night time his physique feels good, they don’t wish to push the hip problem. pic.twitter.com/oUIMujszzy
— Matthew Tynan (@Matthew_Tynan) December 1, 2023
Wemby was questionable going into that sport with hip tightness and could possibly be seen surrounded by medical workers, monitoring his actions at morning shootaround. Whereas he ended up taking part in and having one other good sport with 21 factors, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks, Gregg Popovich was fast to say afterwards that they’re attempting to guard him, and he wasn’t certain if Wemby would play tonight. The choice to take a seat him is probably going extra cautionary than something, and the Spurs may have one other 4 days of relaxation earlier than resuming play on Wednesday towards the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Becoming a member of him as “out” on the damage report is Doug McDermott, who was a late scratch final night time as a result of sickness, and G-League assignments in Sidy Cissoko, Sir’Jabari Rice and Charles Bediako. Keldon Johnson can also be listed as “possible” with hip tightness. Notably absent from the damage report is two-way ahead Dominick Barlow, who has break up his time between Austin and San Antonio however was with the staff final night time. He and/or somebody like Sandro Mamukelashvili may see some rotation minutes with Wemby out.
It would even be fascinating to see what adjustments Pop does with the beginning lineup. Julian Champangie has began at occasions this season. He may additionally deliver Tre Jones in as a starter and transfer Jeremy Sochan again to his pure place of energy ahead, or possibly now’s the time to maneuver Devin Vassell again to a beginning position. One other risk is simply deliver again final season’s beginning lineup, assuming Johnson is on the market, with Jones and Vassell beginning alongside him, Sochan and Zach Collins.
No matter rotation changes are made, will probably be fascinating to see how the staff responds to the primary sport this season with out their celebrity. For probably the most half, it’s the identical staff as final season, with the primary new addition being Cedi Osman, so it shouldn’t be an excessive amount of of an adjustment for the younger squad.
