San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama will miss his first NBA game tonight due to right hip tightness, according to an announcement made by the team on Friday. The Spurs were set to face off against the New Orleans Pelicans.
This isn’t the first time Wembanyama has dealt with this injury. Prior to the Spurs’ previous game against the Atlanta Hawks, he was listed as questionable with the same hip issue. However, he ended up playing and had an impressive performance.
Despite the hip tightness, Wembanyama managed to rack up an impressive stat line of 21 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks against the Hawks. In fact, he mentioned after the game that his hip wasn’t bothering him during the game, but he acknowledged that he would be “day-to-day” with the injury.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich commented on Wembanyama’s situation, suggesting that the young rookie might sit out the Pelicans game depending on how his hip reacted to treatment and rest. Popovich is cautious about pushing the injury further and wants to prioritize his player’s long-term health.
To prepare for the Hawks game, Wembanyama even went the extra mile during shootaround, engaging in additional stretches to ensure he was ready to compete at his best. His dedication has not gone unnoticed, as he has been putting up impressive numbers throughout the season.
Currently, Wembanyama is averaging an impressive 19.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, and a league-leading 2.7 blocks per game. These numbers make him the top rookie in these categories, highlighting his impact on the court and increasing his potential as a future star.
While it’s unfortunate that Wembanyama will miss his first NBA game due to the hip tightness, the Spurs organization and fans remain hopeful that he will recover quickly and be ready to get back on the court soon. His promising talent and contributions to the team have been crucial, and his absence will surely be felt in tonight’s game against the Pelicans.
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