Wembanyama Faces Injury Concern

Victor Wembanyama began 2026 with a bit of a scare after limping off the court during the Spurs’ recent game. This happened when his left knee gave way while he was attempting to snag a rebound early in the fourth quarter against the Knicks.

Following a thrilling 134-132 victory for the Spurs, it was determined that Wembanyama had hyperextended his knee. Fortunately, further tests showed no other issues, but he’ll undergo additional assessments soon.

Despite the incident, Wembanyama seemed optimistic post-game. “I think I’ll be back for the next game,” he stated. That sentiment was encouraging for fans, especially after he had an impressive performance with 31 points and 13 rebounds before his early exit.

The injury occurred amid a scramble for a rebound, and he quickly reached for his knee. Spurs guard Stephon Castle helped him to his feet, but Wembanyama seemed determined to return. “I was confident. I was close to getting back into the game,” he mentioned, indicating that he felt it was just a hyperextension and not a serious problem.

Interestingly, Wembanyama had previously shot 10 of 12 from the field in just 24 minutes of play. His return to the bench during warm-ups excited the crowd of 18,062, signaling some hope for his quick recovery.

Coach Mitch Johnson commented on the situation, noting, “I haven’t been able to speak to the medical staff yet, but I think I saw what other people saw.” He took solace in seeing Wembanyama at the game, even if it was just on the bench.

While missing some games this season due to a calf strain, Wembanyama has been showcasing career-best shooting numbers—52% from the field and 36% from three-point range. His return on December 13 in the NBA Cup semifinals marked the start of a gradual comeback.