Spurs middle Victor Wembanyama returns off bench Tuesday

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Victor Wembanyama performed in Tuesday evening’s recreation between the San Antionio Spurs and Memphis Grizzlies after lacking two video games with left knee soreness.

Wembanyama completed with a team-high 30 factors in 21 minutes. He was 10 of 20 from the sector, together with 3 of 6 from 3-point vary. He additionally had 5 rebounds and a blocked shot within the Spurs’ 106-105 loss.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson mentioned earlier than the sport that the 7-foot-4 middle/ahead would come off the bench and be underneath a minutes restriction. But, Johnson mentioned the workforce and medical workers had been snug with Wembanyama returning to motion.

“He’s been putting in a lot of work,” Johnson mentioned, including that all the key individuals — the teaching and medical workers and Wembanyama “have seen enough to give it a go.”

Wembanyama, the highest decide within the 2023 draft, has performed in 22 video games this season, beginning 15. He leads the workforce in scoring and rebounds.

He had missed a dozen video games earlier this season with left calf tightness.

As for a way lengthy earlier than he returns to full enjoying time, that will probably be a matter of how Wembanyama responds and reacts. “Every single day that will be the indicators of what ‘next’ looks like,” the Spurs coach mentioned.

While the middle advised Johnson he was able to go, the workforce desires to be aware of the long run. The aim is to verify Wembanyama is wholesome for longer stretches and never in jeopardy of simply enjoying a recreation or two, he mentioned.

“We will be extremely mindful of the situation as we have been and will continue to be,” Johnson mentioned. “It’s simply going to be a kind of dwelling, respiratory type of conditions that we’re going to proceed to juggle and stability till we don’t.

“I would guess that won’t be this season.”