{"id":342176,"date":"2025-12-13T07:51:09","date_gmt":"2025-12-13T07:51:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/342176\/"},"modified":"2025-12-13T07:51:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T07:51:09","slug":"victor-wembanyama-expected-to-return-from-injury-for-nba-cup-semifinals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/342176\/","title":{"rendered":"Victor Wembanyama expected to return from injury for NBA Cup semifinals"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Victor Wembanyama averaged 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4 assists and 3.6 blocks per game before his injury.<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama is expected to return to the Spurs\u2019 lineup for the team\u2019s Emirates NBA Cup Semifinals<\/a> game on Saturday.<\/p>\n

The star center was upgraded to probable on San Antonio\u2019s injury report posted Friday, and coach Mitch Johnson confirmed that Webnayama is ready to return for Saturday\u2019s game (9 p.m. ET, Prime Video<\/a>) against the Oklahoma City Thunder.<\/p>\n

mood for tomorrow \ud83d\ude24 pic.twitter.com\/xZ7869MuQq<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) December 12, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

After the Spurs beat the Los Angeles Lakers 132-119<\/a> on Wednesday night to secure a Cup semifinal game against Oklahoma City, coach Johnson indicated Wembanyama might be ready to return from his four-week injury absence.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery much so,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cHe had a really good day today. He had a very intense day this morning, and we\u2019ll have to see how he responds or reacts (Thursday).\u201d<\/p>\n

Johnson said Wembanyama went through a vigorous workout at the Spurs\u2019 morning shootaround in Los Angeles. The 7-foot-4 Frenchman worked out on the court again during pregame warmups at the Lakers\u2019 downtown arena with no extra protection on his strained left calf, which has kept him out for 12 straight games since Nov. 14.<\/p>\n

Wembanyama averaged 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4 assists and 3.6 blocks per game in 12 games before getting shut down by injury. He has eased his way back into on-court activity, also doing pregame work before the Spurs\u2019 win at New Orleans on Monday.<\/p>\n

That extra work might be over soon, and just in time for San Antonio\u2019s hopes of Cup contention: The Spurs face the defending NBA champion Thunder on Saturday night in Las Vegas. The winner is in the Cup title game on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

The Spurs are an impressive 9-3 without Wembanyama, looking very much like a burgeoning powerhouse with a talent-rich roster following six consecutive non-playoff seasons.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Victor would tell you we have a deep team, and we rely upon playing together as a team,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cHe may be the biggest puzzle piece, but he needs everybody else to complete the puzzle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stephon Castle, last season\u2019s Kia Rookie of the Year, had 30 points and 10 rebounds in Los Angeles while leading the Spurs to a solid win over Luka Doncic and the Lakers.<\/p>\n

Eight Spurs scored at least eight points, with De\u2019Aaron Fox getting 20. Keldon Johnson added 17, while Harrison Barnes and Julian Champagnie had 16 apiece as San Antonio stayed comfortably ahead.<\/p>\n

\u201cI felt like we came together and clamped down when we needed it most,\u201d Castle said. \u201cJust knowing the stakes of the game \u2026 I feel like we did the little things more tonight than any other game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.<\/p>\n