The San Antonio Spurs will once again be without their franchise centerpiece when they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves Sunday night, as Victor Wembanyama is set to miss his seventh straight game with a lower-body injury.
The 7-foot-5 phenom suffered a left calf strain in mid-November, and while the team hasn’t rushed his return, each game he misses is a reminder of just how central he is to everything the Spurs are building.
Wembanyama’s last appearance came back on November 14 against the Golden State Warriors, and he didn’t exactly go out quietly. In that NBA In-Season Tournament matchup, he put up a monster line: 26 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block in a tight 109-108 loss. It was a performance that showcased his full arsenal - the kind of stat-stuffing night that’s already becoming routine for him in just his second NBA season.
But the aftermath told a different story. Following the game, the Spurs discovered Wembanyama had suffered a strain in his left calf.
According to reports, the team opted to take a cautious route, keeping their generational talent off the floor while he recovers. An MRI confirmed the injury, and the plan has been to reevaluate him in two to three weeks.
From a strategic standpoint, this is a tough blow. Wembanyama isn’t just the focal point of the Spurs’ offense - he’s the gravitational force that opens up the floor for everyone else.
His ability to stretch the defense, protect the rim, and initiate offense at his size is already redefining what a modern big man can be. Losing that kind of presence for multiple games is never easy, especially against a Timberwolves squad that’s been one of the best defensive units in the league this season.
That said, it’s not all doom and gloom in San Antonio. De’Aaron Fox is finally back in the lineup, giving the Spurs some much-needed playmaking and pace in the backcourt.
And Devin Vassell has been stepping up in a big way, showing flashes of the two-way star potential the team has long believed he has. His confidence has grown with each game, and he’s starting to look like a player who’s ready to take on more responsibility - especially in Wembanyama’s absence.
So while the Spurs are clearly missing their franchise anchor, they’re not folding. The team is leaning on its young core, continuing to develop chemistry and resilience in the face of adversity. And when Wembanyama does return, he’ll be stepping back into a group that’s been battle-tested - one that’s learning how to compete without him, but will be that much more dangerous with him back in the mix.
For now, though, all eyes remain on the timeline. The Spurs are playing it smart with their star, and rightfully so.
Wembanyama isn’t just a piece of their present - he’s the foundation of their future. And when you’re building something that could last a decade or more, a few extra games on the sideline are a small price to pay.