Sorry Pacers fans. (Or maybe, good news Pacers fans?) You will not get to see the singular talents of center Victor Wembanyama when the Spurs play the Pacers on Friday. The 7-4 Frenchman is not traveling to Indianapolis after hyperextending his knee in San Antonio’s win over the Knicks on Wednesday.
There is no ligament damage according to the San Antonio Express News but Wembanyama acknowledged he was sore.
Wembanyama — the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft and 2023-24 Rookie of the Year — is averaging 24.3 points on 52.5% shooting, 11.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.9 blocks for the 24-9 Spurs. The Pacers have lost 10 straight games and have the NBA’s worst record at 6-28.
The Spurs and Pacers played in Paris last season so Wembanyama has not played in Indianapolis since the All-Star Game last season. He hasn’t faced the Pacers in Indiana since Nov. 6, 2023, the seventh game of his career.
As was probably to be expected, Victor Wembanyama did not travel with the Spurs to Indiana and will not play Friday against the Pacers.
An MRI conducted today showed no ligament damage. The team remains hopeful for a swift recovery, but he is out for the near term.
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) January 1, 2026