The Spurs’ young star has been out a month, but could be primed to return for Saturday’s blockbuster NBA Cup matchup.
SAN ANTONIO — Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs All-Star who has sat out the last month with a calf strain, is now “probable” to return to game action for Saturday’s blockbuster matchup against the Thunder, according to the team’s latest injury report.
ESPN Insider Shams Charania had reported earlier Friday afternoon that the 21-year-old center was “likely” to play, having sat out the last month with injury. Wemby averaged 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.6 blocks in 12 games to start his third season.
Head coach Mitch Johnson hinted at Wembanyama’s looming return, saying it’s “very much” possible he could suit up against Oklahoma City.
“He had a really good day today,” the head coach said Wednesday. “He had a very intense day this morning, and we’ll have to see how he responds or reacts tomorrow.”
San Antonio (17-7) has managed to maintain a top-five spot in the West in Wembanyama’s absence, going 9-3 and convincingly upsetting the Lakers in Los Angeles on Wednesday night to secure the team’s first-ever NBA Cup Semifinal. That game, scheduled for 8 p.m. CT Saturday night against the defending champions Oklahoma City, now grows in can’t-miss stature as fans potentially prepare to watch two of the league’s best young stars – and best young teams – face off.
Wembanyama has averaged 16.5 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists in four career games against the Thunder, going 1-3 in those matchups. Aside from reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC boasts its own star center in Chet Holmgren, who is seventh among NBA centers in points per game (18.8) and also in blocks per game (1.5).
The Spurs and Thunder will get familiar with each other as 2025 comes to a close: Saturday’s NBA Cup matchup will be the first of three matchups in 12 days between the two squads. Oklahoma City has jumped to a historic start, going 24-1 to match the 2015-16 Warriors for the best 25-game start in NBA history.
The winner of Saturday’s game will go on to face the winner of the Orlando Magic and New York Knicks in the in-season tourney championship, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.