The San Antonio Spurs will still be without Victor Wembanyama against the Memphis Grizzlies on November 18, but fans finally got a small bit of good news. In a new practice video shared by the San Antonio Express-News, Wembanyama was spotted on the court and not in a walking boot, prompting reporter Jeff McDonald to post the simple update: âCan confirm no walking boot for Victor Wembanyama.â
That visual comes less than 48 hours after the Spurs announced that their All-Star big man will miss at least the next two to three weeks with a left calf strain and be re-evaluated later, firmly ruling him out for Tuesdayâs nationally televised matchup with Memphis.
Spurs Get Visible Progress Update on Victor Wembanyama
San Antonio only just absorbed the bad news that Wembanyama will be sidelined for âa few weeksâ with a strained left calf, an injury diagnosed via MRI after he was a late scratch for Sundayâs win over the Sacramento Kings.
Multiple reports have pegged the timetable at roughly two to three weeks before a re-evaluation, not a day-to-day situation. Given how often calf issues can lead to more serious problems if rushed, the Spurs are expected to be cautious with their 7-foot-4 franchise cornerstone.
Even so, the latest clip from practice gives fans something tangible to cling to. In the video, Wembanyama is back on the floor and working on his handle, while McDonald notes that there is no walking boot on his injured leg.
None of this changes the reality that Wembanyama is out for at least a couple of weeks, but for a fanbase that just watched its star get shut down again after last seasonâs health issues, any sign of normal movement is going to feel like a win.
What It Means for Spurs vs. Grizzlies â and How to Watch
The most important short-term takeaway: there is no chance Wembanyama plays on Tuesday. The Spurs have already ruled him out.
Even without Wembanyama, the game has turned into a showcase. The Spurs enter at 9-4 and near the top of the Western Conference, while the Grizzlies are trying to climb out of a rough 4-10 start. Memphis just got massive second-year center Zach Edey into the lineup, and his life in the paint will be a lot easier with Wembanyama watching from the bench.
How to watch Spurs vs. Grizzlies tonight
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- TV: NBC (nationally)
- Streaming: Peacock for national stream
The matchup was flexed into NBCâs âCoast 2 Coast Tuesdayâ window, giving Spurs and Grizzlies fans a rare network TV look at two of the leagueâs most intriguing young cores â even if its biggest star is in street clothes.
Without Wembanyama, expect San Antonio to lean heavily on its depth up front. Luke Kornet has already stepped into the starting lineup and produced a double-double in Sundayâs win over Sacramento, and veterans like Kelly Olynyk and versatile forward Jeremy Sochan can help soak up frontcourt minutes until the star big man returns.
Stats, Schedule & Big-Picture Context for the Spurs
Wembanyamaâs absence looms especially large because of how dominant he has been to start his third season. Before the calf injury, he was averaging 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and a league-leading 3.6 blocks per game, all career highs across the board.
He has helped push San Antonio into the early Western Conference playoff picture, with the Spurs combining that star power with a top-tier defense. The calf strain now threatens to cost him several games at a time when award races and standings are still being shaped, which is another reason the team is likely to prioritize his long-term health.
Upcoming Spurs schedule: Grizzlies at home Tuesday, then the Atlanta Hawks before a four-game road trip that includes stops in Portland and Denver.
The bottom line for fans searching before tipoff: Wembanyama is still out, and heâs going to be out for a bit. But seeing him dribbling at practice, with no walking boot in sight, is the first clear sign that the Spursâ careful plan is working â and that their franchise star is at least moving in the right direction as the team tries to keep winning without him.
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