Victor Wembanyama Status Revealed vs. Blazers Thursday

DEC 27 WEMBY TO PLAY THURSDAY San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama's status was up in the air for Thursday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers, which is the first game of a back-to-back between the two teams.

Coach Gregg Popovich told reporters after Tuesday's loss against the Utah Jazz that Wembanyama wouldn't play in both legs of the back-to-back after injuring his ankle on Saturday against the Utah Jazz.

Wembanyama wasn't included on the injury report, making him likely to play Thursday against the Blazers, which means he would sit Friday.

Things can change in the time leading up to the games, but for now, Wembanyama should play Thursday. Tipoff between the Spurs and Blazers is set for 9 p.m. CT.

DEC 24 WEMBY MEETS BEDARD San Antonio Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama and Chicago Blackhawks centre Connor Bedard don't have much in common other than the fact that they are top picks in their overall sport.

With the Spurs in the Windy City to play the Chicago Bulls, the two athletes met for the first time.

"It was pretty cool," Bedard said via NBC Sports Chicago. "Obviously a great face playing in the NBA. He's going to be, or he already is, really special. Getting to talk to him a bit and hear his perspective, coming over from Europe and [being in] similar situations — him even more just with how big the NBA is. It was good to get to talk to him."

DEC 18 WEMBANYAMA BEATS DWIGHT HOWARD'S RECORD for most double-doubles in a row by a teen. Wembanyama, 19, notched his eighth straight double-double, beating Howard's record which has stood since 2004-2005.

Howard finished his NBA career as a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, the two-time blocks champ, and five-time rebound champ, and made eight All-Star games. 

DEC 13 WEMBANYAMA RETAKES ROOKIE LADDER LEAD per NBA.com, Victor Wembanyama is the favorite to land Rookie of the Year honors. In the last release of the ladder, Chet Holmgren was the highest-ranked rookie.

Wembanyama was praised for posting five double-doubles in a row despite being cold from the three-point line. Holmgren got demoted due to his decreased offensive production. 

Brandon Miller, Jamie Jaquez Jr. and Keyonte George round out the top five. 

DEC 10 WEMBY PRAISED BY SILVER Victor Wembanyama has been making quite an impression after just one month in the NBA.

At the In-Season Tournament in Las Vegas, commissioner Adam Silver had great things to say about the San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama.

"Victor Wembanyama has been a terrific addition to the league," Silver told reporters. "He's a wonderful young man. I know that the Spurs are very encouraged by his play on the floor. Obviously it's not represented in wins yet."

Wembanyama and the Spurs are back in action Monday when they visit the Houston Rockets. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.

DEC 4 WEMBANYAMA NOMINATED FOR ROOKIE OF THE MONTH Victor Wembanyama is being recognized by the league for the start of the season.

Wembanyama was a nominee for the Western Conference Rookie of the Month award. Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren ultimately was the winner of the award.

Wembanyama has averaged 19.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.7 blocks so far this season.

DEC 1 WEMBANYAMA TAKES LEAD in blocked shots. As of yesterday's game against Atlanta, Wembanyama is third in the league in total blocks, with 49. Brook Lopez and Anthony Davis both have 51, but Wembanyama has played in one less game, boosting his per-game number to 2.7, leading the league

If he continues his pace, he will be the first rookie to lead the league in blocks since Manute Bol in 1985-86.

NOV 8 NBA ROOKIE LADDER On Wednesday the NBA released their first rookie rankings of the season. To no shock, Victor Wembanyama took the first-place spot ahead of Chet Holmgren.

"Victor Wembanyama looks to be the biggest lock for Kia Rookie of the Year since at least Minnesota Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns," wrote Steve Aschburner for NBA.com. 

The Spurs and Wembanyama look to showcase their talents on a national stage as they take on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on ESPN. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT.

NOV 3 SILVER ON WEMBY NBA Commissioner Adam Silver appeared on "Good Morning America" on Friday to discuss the new In-Season Tournament and the start of the season, and San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama came into the conversation.

"He's a spectacular athlete, he's a spectacular young man ... He has that opportunity to be one of the truly great players," Silver said.