Victor Wembanyama Injury Update Changes NBA Awards Landscape

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated Apr 7, 2026 9:07 PM ET

San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama was supposed to be a generational talent when they drafted him No. 1 overall in 2023, and he's fit the billing so far. The only thing that's slowed the 7-foot-4, 235-pounder down is health.

Wembanyama played 71 games as a rookie, but he played just 46 last season due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. The 2024 Rookie of the Year has also missed time this season due to calf and ankle injuries.

Wembanyama also suffered a rib contusion during Monday's 115-102 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, per ESPN. The France native collided with Paul George with 10:47 left in the second quarter and exited the game before returning with 6:49 left in the period. He then checked out again with 44.3 seconds remaining and never returned, finishing with 16 minutes played.

However, Wembanyama is now day-to-day after undergoing a clean MRI and avoiding a serious injury, per NBA On Prime's Chris Haynes. The big man is listed as doubtful for Wednesday's matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Wembanyama only needs one more 20-minute appearance this season to qualify for MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and All-NBA voting. San Antonio has three games left, including Wednesday.

Victor Wembanyama, listed as doubtful for San Antonio’s next game Wednesday against Portland, needs one more 20-minute appearance this season to qualify for MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and All-NBA voting. https://t.co/FuH3aaaSpl
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) April 8, 2026

Victor Wembanyama Is Favorite to Win Defensive Player of the Year

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Johnny Juzang (9) Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

Wembanyama is the obvious pick for Defensive Player of the Year as long as he qualifies. The two-time All-Star leads the NBA with 3.1 blocks per game, is third with a 103.2 defensive rating, and is fourth with 0.174 defensive win shares.

Wembanyama is listed as the favorite to win the award on FOX Sports with -599 odds. Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren is second at +500, and Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert is third at +2500. If Wembanyama had been shut down for the rest of the regular season and not qualified, Holmgren or Gobert would've had a higher chance of winning.

Wembanyama is also in the mix for All-NBA and MVP honors. He's ranked No. 1 on NBA.com's latest MVP ladder , with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively.

Wembanyama is averaging 24.8 points on 51% shooting (35% 3-point) with 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and one steal over 29.2 minutes. He's fourth in rebounds and 13th in points.

Wednesday's game against the Trail Blazers at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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