Victor Wembanyama Hyperextension: Spurs Star Optimistic Return For Next Game

San Antonio Spurs centre Victor Wembanyama said the left knee problem suffered against the New York Knicks should not keep Wembanyama out, stressing an expectation to play when San Antonio meet the Indiana

Pacers on January 2 after the narrow 134-132 home victory.

The 20-year-old limped off early in the fourth quarter after landing awkwardly while chasing a defensive rebound, then later reappeared on the bench without returning to the floor, finishing with 31 points and 13 rebounds in the tight San Antonio Spurs win over New York.

Wembanyama confirmed the issue was a hyperextension to the left knee and expressed strong confidence about a quick recovery for the San Antonio Spurs, while also explaining how close Wembanyama felt to re-entering the contest before staff intervened to keep Wembanyama sidelined.

"I expect to be back the next game," said Wembanyama. "I was confident. I was this close to coming back in the game. [They] had to hold me back. It was just hyperextension, so it should be minimal. We've got to do everything tomorrow still to check that everything's OK. "

Head coach Mitch Johnson had not received a full assessment from the medical team straight after the San Antonio Spurs game but was encouraged by Wembanyama remaining engaged on the bench, suggesting the visual signs were positive despite the worrying fall in the final quarter.

And San Antonio head coach Mitch Johnson added: "Have not been able to talk to the medical staff yet, but I think I saw what everybody else saw. Obviously, he finished the game on the bench with his teammates. So, I think that made me feel good. "

The win moved the San Antonio Spurs to a 24-9 record and second place in the Western Conference standings, continuing a strong campaign that also included a run to the NBA Cup finals as the team relied again on Wembanyama and key supporting contributors.

Julian Champagnie produced a major shooting performance for the San Antonio Spurs, hitting 11 of 17 three-point attempts to score 36 points, setting a franchise record for made threes in a game, while Castle delivered seven assists to become the fastest Spurs player since Johnny Moore to reach 500 assists and 100 steals at Frost Bank Center.

The night also featured another milestone for Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, as the 7-footer reached 300 career three-pointers in just 138 games, establishing the quickest mark for any player of that height in NBA history according to the team.

.@wemby has now hit 300 career three pointers in his 138th career game, becoming the fastest 7-footer in NBA history to reach that mark pic.twitter.com/GDk8LXrzVTSan Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 1, 2026

Further medical checks are expected for Wembanyama on January 1, 2026, yet both the player and Mitch Johnson expressed cautious optimism, leaving the San Antonio Spurs hopeful that the leading scorer will be ready to face the Indiana Pacers and maintain momentum in a promising season.