Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs center, will not be playing in Sunday’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings due to tightness in his left calf. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson confirmed that the issue has developed progressively and is not connected to a specific play, emphasizing the importance of caution given the increasing awareness around calf injuries in the league.
“Yeah, I think it was just something that he felt,” Johnson stated. “And obviously, we’ve seen around this league recently, the calf tightness thing is not something you want to take lightly. So just got to get some more information and don’t want to push it there.”
Wembanyama, who has been a standout this season, recently scored 26 points along with 12 rebounds, four assists, and three blocked shots in the Spurs’ narrow loss to the Golden State Warriors, 109-108. In his first few games, he has had an impressive average of 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, and a league-leading 3.58 blocks per game, showcasing his significant impact on the court.
With Wembanyama sidelined, Luke Kornet is set to start at center against the Kings. The young star, who was instrumental in leading the Spurs to a franchise-best 5-0 start this season, has already received recognition as the inaugural Western Conference Player of the Week.
Notably, Wembanyama’s previous season was cut short due to deep vein thrombosis, a condition that was revealed after he participated in NBA All-Star Weekend. As he manages his current injury, both the Spurs and fans remain hopeful for his swift recovery and return to the lineup, recognizing his vital role in the team’s success.