The San Antonio Spurs are likely to get franchise star Victor Wembanyama back for Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. After Wednesday’s 132-119 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in the quarterfinals, Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson provided an update on Wemby’s calf strain.
“Very much so,” Johnson said on the chances of the Spurs getting Wemby back for Saturday’s game, via The Athletic’s Jared Weiss.
“He had a very good day today. He had a good intent day this morning and we’ll have to see how he responds and reacts tomorrow.”
Wemby was seen during shootaround before Wednesday’s game, but the Spurs held him out as a precaution. The 7-foot-5 Frenchman has been out of action for nearly a month, since the Nov. 14 game against the Golden State Warriors.
Victor Wembanyama Injury Update
In his absence, the Spurs have shocked the world by maintaining a record of 8-3, thanks in large part to De’Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell, and Stephon Castle carrying the offensive workload. Also, Luke Kornet, their offseason acquisition, has held down the fort at the center spot, averaging 27.0 minutes since Wemby went down with an injury.
It’s a testament to the Spurs’ deep roster that they’ve remained a winning ball club during Wemby’s injury absence. In 11 games without the defensive ace, they’ve averaged 121.6 points — more than their season average — at impressive shooting splits of 47/38/80. Also worth noting is that they’ve maintained a defensive rating of 114.4 in Wemby’s absence, which is only marginally better than the 112.5 with Wemby.
Chet vs. Wemby Alert
If the Frenchman does return for Saturday’s tie, it’ll set up a blockbuster individual clash between Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren — the leading candidates to win Defensive Player of the Year. The two generational big men have developed quite a rivalry in their first few years of the league, and haven’t shied away from their healthy disdain for one another.
According to Andscape’s Marc J. Spears, Wemby is extremely motivated to lead the Spurs to an NBA title after watching Chet get his first ring with the Thunder.
“I was told by somebody inside that room that Wemby is motivated by Chet. Chet having one up on him on the championship,” Spears said in October.
Holmgren, though, has tried to downplay the rivalry in the past.
“The NBA is a business. The league is built around players playing basketball. It’s about getting people to come and watch the games. That’s how they advertise those games. I just see it as a form of advertisement,” Holmgren said of the rivalry with Wemby.
Holmgren, the odds-on favorite to win his first Defensive Player of the Year, put up another dominant showing in Wednesday’s 138-89 win over the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Cup quarterfinal. The Gonzaga alum finished with 24 points, eight rebounds and three blocks as the Thunder crushed the Suns to improve to 24-1 for the season.
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