SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama will be sidelined for the next several weeks with a left calf strain, league sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Monday.
After undergoing an MRI on Sunday, the Spurs are taking a cautious approach with their 21-year-old franchise cornerstone. Wembanyama is expected to be re-evaluated in 2–3 weeks.
Originally listed as questionable with left calf tightness, he was ultimately scratched shortly before tipoff of Sunday’s win over the Sacramento Kings.
“We’ve seen around the league lately — calf tightness is not something you mess with,” acting head coach Mitch Johnson said Sunday. “We’re not going to push it.”
Wembanyama had played a physical 38 minutes and posted 26 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks in Friday’s NBA Cup game against Golden State, marking his third consecutive 25-point, 10-rebound performance — tying the longest such streak of his young career.
In his absence Sunday, veteran free-agent addition Luke Kornet drew the start and delivered 13 points (5-5 FG), 3 blocks and a team-best +13 in the victory. The Spurs specifically targeted Kornet this offseason to handle frontcourt minutes when Wembanyama rests. Kelly Olynyk and Bismack Biyombo are also expected to see increased roles.
Through the early part of his third season, Wembanyama is posting career highs across the board: 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and an NBA-leading 3.6 blocks per game.
He was spotted in the locker room after Sunday’s game wearing a light compression sleeve on the calf but moving without any visible limp.
