The news fans have been waiting for is finally here. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Victor Wembanyama is likely to return to the court tomorrow in Las Vegas as the Spurs take on the defending champion
Oklahoma City Thunder in the semifinals of the NBA Emirates Cup.
Wemby has missed the last 12 games with a calf strain suffered against the Warriors on November 14. Before that, he was averaging 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds 4 assists and 3.6 blocks in the Spurs first 12 games, posting an 8-4 record. Impressively, they have gone 9-3 in the 12 games without him thanks to excellent teamwork, De’Aaron Fox finding his role with the team, Dylan Harper returning from the same injury, and Luke Kornet filling in admirably. However, that doesn’t mean the Spurs haven’t missed him. Their defense has clearly suffered, falling from top 10 to below average in his absence, and teams have been making a living in the paint.
Barring any new injuries, they shouldn’t have anyone in the injury report tomorrow beyond two-way players. This will be the healthiest the Spurs have been all season, and not a moment too soon as they’ll face the Thunder three times between now and Christmas. It will also be the first time, Fox, Wembanyama, Harper and Stephon Castle will all be available in the same game, so hopefully Spurs fans can finally start getting a true glimpse of future.
Assuming he returns tomorrow, Wemby will only be able to miss five more games this season to meet the 65-game limit required for All-NBA teams and awards such as Defensive Player of the Year.
