The San Antonio Spurs have decided to rest rookie Victor Wembanyama for their upcoming game against the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of ankle injury management. Wembanyama, who has played in 70 games this season, will be held out of the game as a precautionary measure.
Despite expressing his desire to play, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and the team have opted to prioritize Wembanyama's long-term health. Popovich emphasized the importance of taking a cautious approach, especially considering the player's history of ankle injuries earlier in the season.
Wembanyama had rolled his right ankle multiple times in December, leading to a period of restricted minutes and sitting out of back-to-back games. While he recently rolled his right ankle again in a game against the Pelicans, he was not placed on any restrictions in the Spurs' previous two games.
The decision to rest Wembanyama means that the anticipated matchup between him and Chet Holmgren, a top contender in the Rookie of the Year race, will not take place. Holmgren, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, is set to play for the Thunder in the upcoming game.
In addition to Wembanyama, the Spurs will also be without Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, and Cedi Osman due to various injuries. On the other side, the Thunder will be missing Lu Dort due to rest, while Jaylin Williams and Gordon Hayward are listed as questionable for the game.
Wembanyama is expected to return to action for the Spurs' next game against the Denver Nuggets and will be available for the season finale against the Detroit Pistons. The team is prioritizing his health and ensuring that he is fully recovered before returning to the court.
