Wembanyama's Injury Threatens MVP Dreams as Spurs Eye Playoff Push
Victor Wembanyama, the star of the San Antonio Spurs, faces a precarious situation regarding his eligibility for end-of-season awards following a left rib contusion suffered during Monday night's victory against the Philadelphia 76ers. The injury occurred with 10:47 left in the second quarter when Wembanyama collided with Paul George. Despite falling to the floor in pain, he initially stayed in the game but soon exited to head to the locker room. Although he returned briefly, he was ruled out for the remainder of the game at halftime. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson offered no updates post-game, stating, "Nothing... I know he came back and he just didn't finish." However, Johnson noted it was a "positive" that Wembanyama managed to play a few minutes before halftime. Wembanyama currently has played 64 games, just one shy of the 65-game minimum required for eligibility for awards such as MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. The NBA confirmed that the NBA Cup final counts towards this total, which explains the discrepancy in stats. To remain eligible, Wembanyama must play in one of the Spurs' last three games and log at least 20 minutes in that game. Due to his recent playing time, he has already used the two games allowance for sub-20 minute appearances. This situation highlights the challenges faced by star players under the NBA's 65-game rule, as seen with others like Luka Dončić and Cade Cunningham, who also navigate complex eligibility criteria. As the playoffs approach, the Spurs and their fans can only hope for a swift recovery for their young star.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-04-07