Overview
- San Antonio’s star exited in the first half Monday with a left rib contusion after a midcourt collision with Paul George, and he was ruled out for the second half.
- Wembanyama played just under 16 minutes and posted 17 points, five rebounds and three blocks, a stint that counts as a “near-miss” toward the 65-game minimum and leaves him needing one 20-minute appearance in the final three games.
- The NBA’s rule requires 65 games of 20-plus minutes, with up to two games of 15–19:59 allowed, and his NBA Cup Final appearance also counts toward the total.
- Head coach Mitch Johnson said he had no update postgame and called it a positive that Wembanyama briefly returned, with the team yet to share a timetable.
- The Spurs won 115-102 to reach 60-19 and remain second in the West, closing at home this week against the Trail Blazers, Mavericks and Nuggets as their MVP and DPOY candidate seeks to qualify.