Feb 10, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) warms up before the game between the Washington Wizards and the San Antonio Spurs at Capital One Arena. Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

Spurs Reveal Victor Wembanyama's Injury Replacement vs. Suns

Originally posted on San Antonio Spurs on SI
By Matt Guzman | Last updated Feb 20, 2025 8:54 PM ET

AUSTIN, Texas — With no Charles Bassey and no Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs find themselves in a tight spot.

All season, a backup center was perhaps the team's greatest need — even before dealing away Zach Collins at the trade deadline for De'Aaron Fox. But after it was announced that Wembanyama would be missing the remainder of the regular season due to deep vein thrombosis, bad became worse.

San Antonio got smaller as it waits for Bassey's impending return, but Spurs acting coach Mitch Johnson named his star's replacement in the starting lineup: newly acquired veteran big man Bismack Biyombo.

"You can mark that one down," he said.

Soobum Im-Imagn Images

Biyombo played next to Chris Paul in Phoenix for a few seasons but last played 10 games for the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2023-24 season. Thursday night against the Suns will mark his first significant action since signing a 10-day contract with the Spurs earlier in February.

The 32-year-old isn't a permanent replacement, though there stands a chance that he signs a standard contract in the wake of Wembanyama's absence.

Bismack Biyombo will get his chance to shine Thursday night. He's going to be in the #Spurs' starting lineup as the primary center, per Mitch Johnson.

"You can mark that one down," he said.
— Matt Guzman (@mattgzman) February 21, 2025

Until then, the Spurs will focus their efforts on playing good basketball for the rest of the season. That, and hoping for a speedy recovery for Wembanyama.

Tipoff between the Spurs and Suns at Moody Center in Austin is set for 9:30 p.m. EST.

This article first appeared on San Antonio Spurs on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: