Spurs Announce Victor Wembanyama News on Tuesday

Ahead of Wednesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, there was speculation that Wembanyama would finally make his long-awaited return to the starting lineup. He had practiced fully over the weekend and was seen on the court ramping up his progress before Monday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans.

When asked Monday about Wembanyama’s chances of playing in Los Angeles, Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said the big man would definitely be on the plane, suggesting he had a chance to suit up ( via Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News).

Unfortunately, that will not be the case, as the Spurs appear to be taking a cautious approach with their franchise superstar.

On Tuesday, the team announced its injury report and immediately ruled Wembanyama out, rather than upgrading his status to questionable (h/t Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints).

For the Spurs, Wembanyama’s absence highlights just how much his presence elevates the team. His dominance comes from a rare blend of size, skill and defensive instincts that make him nearly impossible to game plan against.

Selected first overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, Wembanyama quickly validated the hype by winning Rookie of the Year and earning spots on the All-Rookie and All-Defensive teams. By the end of his second season, he was already a one-time All-Star and two-time blocks champion, proving he can anchor both ends of the floor.

A return in Los Angeles for the Cup quarterfinals would have drawn major attention, but the Spurs are clearly prioritizing his long-term health. With three or five days of rest depending on Wednesday’s outcome, the team likely wants him progressing to five-on-five work before stepping back into game action.