How long is Victor Wembanyama out? Ankle injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Spurs rookie
Victor Wembanyama is having one of the best rookie seasons in NBA history. But despite his talent, the Spurs are still struggling in the standings.
To make matters worse, Wembanyama recently faced an injury setback that took him out of San Antonio’s lineup.
Wembanyama suffered an ankle injury during the Spurs’ road loss to the Houston Rockets on March 5. He left the game before halftime but returned in the second half after testing it during the break, per San Antonio reporter Don Harris.
Wembanyama has played in 56 of the Spurs’ 64 games this season, averaging 20.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.3 steals and a league-leading 3.4 blocks in 28.8 minutes per game.
If the Spurs want to win games in the final stretch of the season, they’ll need Wembanyama on the floor. Here’s the latest on his injury.
MORE: Victor Wembanyama is having the second-best rookie season of all time
What is Victor Wembanyama’s injury?
Wembanyama sustained a right ankle sprain during a March 5 matchup with the Rockets. He left the game before halftime and performed “lateral drills” before returning in the second half.
The 7-4 rookie struggled in the 30 minutes he played in Houston, finishing with 10 points on 4-of-10 shooting and six turnovers. But he still managed to grab 11 boards and block seven shots.
This isn’t the first time Wembanyama has dealt with right ankle problems this season. In late December, he accidentally stepped on the foot of a Dallas Mavericks ball boy, which forced him to sit that night.
That incident occurred two games after Wembanyama was sidelined with right ankle soreness. The Spurs moved forward cautiously, putting their star rookie on a minutes restriction and not allowing him to play in back-to-backs for a few weeks.
How long is Victor Wembanyama out?
After missing two games, Wembanyama is not listed on the NBA’s official injury report, clearing him to return against the Warriors on Monday.
Wembanyama’s return coincides with the beginning of an eight-game homestand for the Spurs.
