The San Antonio Spurs and the Orlando Magic will face off tonight in a battle between two of the hottest teams in the NBA.
Both squads are overloaded with talent, but it is still surprising how good they have been without their franchise superstars.
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The Spurs have been without Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner Victor Wembanyama for the last two weeks as he nurses a calf injury.
San Antonio hasn’t lost a step though, with the team going 6-2 in this stretch without their best player.
It has been much of the same for the Magic, who have been without star forward Paolo Banchero for three weeks, but have really rounded into form during this time.
Orlando’s other star, Franz Wagner, has maintained his solid averages, but it has been the team’s offseason acquisition, Desmond Bane, who has really taken a step forward.
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Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane (3)Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Let’s check and see whether these teams will be able to get their leaders back in the lineup tonight.
Spurs Injury Report: Victor Wembanyama Availability
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during an NBA game. © Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
It looked like Wembanyama was ready to take over the league at the beginning of this season when he terrorized the Dallas Mavericks to the tune of 40 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks.
He didn’t remain quite that dominant, but he was still frequently putting together otherworldly performances before he went down with this calf injury.
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San Antonio has been extremely cautious with the French star after Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers stars Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton both tore their Achilles after attempting to play through similar injuries.
Wembanyama has spoken about potentially returning soon, but it won’t happen tonight in Orlando.
The other surprising piece of the recent success the Spurs have enjoyed is that they are also playing without reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle.
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He appeared to be developing at a feverish pace before a hip injury knocked him out of the lineup just one game after Wembanyama hurt himself.
Luckily, point guard De’Aaron Fox has been able to carry the load along with No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper, who just recently returned from an injury of his own.
The Spurs will look to keep up this impressive stretch of play tonight against another surging team.
Magic Injury Report: Paolo Banchero Availability
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5)© Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Banchero seemed poised to take a superstar leap this season after another playoff run where he improved his numbers from the regular season.
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Unfortunately, he was inefficient to start the year and was really struggling before he was sidelined with this groin injury.
There was some hope of him suiting up tonight against the Spurs, but he will be held out of at least one more game.
There has been some talk of Banchero potentially returning on this upcoming homestand, however he isn’t quite healthy enough.
On the bright side, this gives Orlando more time to continue acclimating Bane to the team and ironing out some kinks before a likely playoff run later in the year.
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These two teams are inching closer to full strength, but they will have to do battle shorthanded tonight.
Related: Final 76ers-Magic Injury Report, Will Joel Embiid, Paolo Banchero Play?
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 3, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.