Getty
Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs warms up before their game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on April 01, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
Third-year San Antonio Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama was reportedly elated when an MRI on his rib contusion ruled out severe injury on Tuesday.
According to ESPN’s Michael C. Wright, Wemby is “determined” to ensure he can log at least 20 minutes in one of the Spurs’ final three games to maintain eligibility for end-of-season awards, All-NBA and All-Defensive honors.
“After undergoing testing Tuesday, Wembanyama was determined to have avoided significant injury and is considered day-to-day,” wrote Wright.
“Because he played just 15 minutes, 40 seconds in Monday’s game [against the Philadelphia 76ers], it will not count toward eligibility for postseason awards.
“The favorite to win NBA Defensive Player of the Year and a contender for MVP, Wembanyama needs to play at least 20 minutes in one of San Antonio’s remaining three games to maintain eligibility for postseason awards,” added the report.
Victor Wembanyama Injury Update
The one major positive for the Spurs is that they’ve listed Wemby as doubtful for Wednesday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers instead of ruling him out.
“Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is listed doubtful to play in Wednesday’s game against Portland due to a rib contusion but there’s confidence he will play at least one of the team’s final three regular-season games,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.
It’s also worth noting that several Spurs players felt encouraged by their interactions with Wemby after he sustained a rib injury in a collision with Paul George during the second quarter of Monday’s win over Philadelphia.
“He looked like he was doing good,” defensive ace Stephon Castle said on Monday night of his postgame interaction with Wemby.
Wemby to Play Through Pain?
Some Spurs insiders believe Wemby might have to suffer through the painful rib injury just to secure his first Defensive Player of the Year award.
“There’s CONFIDENCE. That’s a strong word when talking about Victor Wembanyama and a bruised rib injury,” Spurs beat writer Dusty Garza wrote on X while reacting to an ESPN report claiming that Wemby was confident about returning amid his injury.
“Anyone who’s had one knows… Bruised or broken- it all feels the same. Even breathing hurts. Just sayin’.”
After a home fixture against the Trail Blazers on Wednesday, the second-seeded Spurs will host the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets in their final two games of the regular season this weekend. One would assume that Wemby could return during one of the three games to ensure he reaches the 65-game mark.
Sai Mohan covers the NBA for Heavy.com. Based in Portugal, Sai is a seasoned sports writer with nearly two decades of publishing experience, including bylines at Yardbarker, FanSided’s Hoops Habit, International Business Times, Hindustan Times and more. More about Sai Mohan
More Heavy on Spurs
Loading more stories