By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The San Antonio Spurs are maintaining an optimistic outlook regarding the return of Victor Wembanyama for the final stretch of the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season. The 22-year-old French phenom is currently recovering from a left rib contusion sustained during a collision with Paul George. While the injury was significant enough to affect his breathing, medical evaluations confirmed it was a bruise rather than a long-term structural concern. The team has categorized the MVP candidate as day-to-day, with the hope that he could return as early as Friday’s matchup against the Dallas Mavericks at the Frost Bank Center.
Wemby’s availability remains a focal point for the organization due to the league’s 65-game eligibility threshold for postseason accolades. Currently the frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year, the Frenchman needs to log at least 20 minutes in one of the Spurs‘ two remaining games to qualify for year-end awards. Head coach Mitch Johnson and the San Antonio staff are balancing this pursuit with the necessity of a healthy ramp-up for the postseason, as the Spurs have already secured the second seed in the Western Conference.
In his absence during Wednesday’s 112-101 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Frost Bank Center, Israeli starter Deni Avdija led the opposing effort with a game-high 29-point performance. Fellow starter, Belgium’s Toumani Camara, contributed a versatile stat line of 18 points, six assists, and three steals, and French bench player Sidy Cissoko had two points. However, Czechia’s Vit Krejci (left calf contusion) remained sidelined for a 12th consecutive contest.