Spurs’ Gregg Popovich hints Victor Wembanyama could soon be off minutes restriction
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich hinted on Friday that rookie Victor Wembanyama could soon be removed from his current minutes restriction due to a previous ankle injury.
Wembanyama was initially diagnosed with right ankle soreness last month and sat out on Dec. 19 against the Milwaukee Bucks. He played in the Spurs’ next game two nights later, his first since being placed on a minute restriction.
The top pick aggravated the injury after suffering what Popovich called a freak accident when he stepped on the foot of a Dallas Mavericks team employee during pregame warmups on Dec. 23. He was held out of action that night.
Wembanyama is currently prohibited by the team medical staff from playing in back-to-back games and is limited to about 24 minutes per game, but that could soon change.
“He has got a minute restriction and is not allowed to play back-to-backs right now,” Popovich said prior to facing Charlotte on Friday. “It’ll probably change very soon, but for right now, we still have to abide by that restriction.”
Wembanyama is averaging 19.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.1 blocks, 2.9 assists and 1.1 steals on 46.1% shooting from the field in 35 games. He leads the rookie class in scoring and is one of two first-year players with three 30-point games (Chet Holmgren).
Despite the restriction, Wembanyama is putting up impressive numbers.
He is averaging 21.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 3.4 assists on 52.1% shooting from the field in 11 games. He recently registered four straight double-doubles and produced a triple-double on Jan. 10, becoming the second player to do so in fewer than 22 minutes.
Wembanyama was held out of action on Friday against the Hornets and will return to face the Washington Wizards on Saturday. The team will finish its five-game road trip Monday in Philadelphia.
