Could the All-Star center be back on the court in time for the NBA Cup Semifinal versus the mighty Thunder?
SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs will take on the Thunder in the NBA Cup West Semifinals in Las Vegas, a matchup that should prove enticing for fans given Oklahoma City’s historic start to the season and the Wemby-less Spurs’ statement win over the Lakers in Los Angeles.
It’s San Antonio’s first time making the semifinal round of the NBA Cup. With that, the team has announced schedule changes.
First off, the Spurs’ home game versus the Washington Wizards, initially scheduled for Dec. 17, has been moved to Dec. 18, with tipoff set for 7 p.m. at the Frost Bank Center (it’ll also be Spurs Ugly Sweater Night). All tickets issued for the Dec. 17 game will be valid for the rescheduled date.
The Spurs-Thunder NBA Cup game will be on Saturday at 8 p.m. CT at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. That contest will be televised nationally on Amazon Prime and feature the 24-1 Thunder against a 17-7 Spurs squad that’s gone 9-3 without Victor Wembanyama, good for fifth in the West.
MITCH JOHNSON SIGNALS WEMBANYAMA’S POSSIBLE RETURN
The Spurs’ All-Star center’s return could be on the horizon.
Following the Spurs’ NBA Cup game win over the Lakers, head coach Mitch Johnson was asked when Wemby could return to the floor. The first-year coach signaled that he could return from his calf strain as soon as Saturday against the Thunder—potentially giving the Silver & Black a major boost against the defending champions.
“(He could return) very much so,” Johnson said after the Spurs’ Wednesday victory in LA. “He had a really good day today. He had a very intense day this morning, and we’ll have to see how he responds or reacts tomorrow.”
The Spurs are playing well without Wemby, but his return would vault the team to another level.
Even as he remained sidelined Wednesday, Wemby likes what he is seeing from the team’s play and execution without him.
“I think Victor would tell you we have a team, we have a deep team, and we rely upon playing together as a team,” Johnson said. “And he may be the biggest puzzle piece, but he needs everybody else to complete the puzzle.”
Wembanyama averaged 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.6 blocks in 12 games this season before being diagnosed with the calf strain; he hasn’t played since a Nov. 14 matchup against Golden State.
His return would catapult the Spurs on both ends of the court and inject new excitement into Saturday’s blockbuster matchup with rival Chet Holmgren, reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the Thunder lineup.