The San Antonio Spurs received concerning news as their franchise centerpiece, Victor Wembanyama, will be sidelined for several weeks because of a left calf injury. The French star was unable to play in the team’s win over the Sacramento Kings (123–110), marking his first absence of the season and raising alarms during what had been his most dominant campaign so far.

An Injury Halts His Best Run in the NBA

According to ESPN, Wembanyama suffered a calf strain that will keep him off the court as he undergoes recovery. At just 21 years old, the 2.24-meter center had been posting the best numbers of his young NBA career in his third season: averaging 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game, numbers that positioned him among the most impactful players in the Western Conference.

The absence of Wemby comes at a time when the Spurs had established themselves as one of the strongest early-season teams, sitting fifth in the West with a 9–4 record. His influence on both ends of the floor had been crucial in the team’s steady start.

Spurs Won’t Rush His Return

Before the matchup against the Kings, interim head coach Mitch Johnson addressed Wembanyama’s discomfort and made the franchise’s stance clear: there will be no rushing his comeback. “We don’t want to push his return,” the coach emphasized, noting that the player’s health remains the organization’s top priority.

This is not the first significant physical setback for Wembanyama. Although he won Rookie of the Year in his debut season, he played only 46 games in 2024 due to a deep vein thrombosis diagnosed after returning from his first All-Star appearance. That experience pushed the Spurs to take an even more cautious approach with their young superstar.

A Costly Absence for San Antonio

Losing Wembanyama temporarily is a major blow for the Spurs, who had leaned on him not only as their offensive leader but also as one of the most intimidating rim protectors in the league. The team will now have to adjust its rotations while awaiting his full recovery.

Even so, confidence remains high in San Antonio. The team expects the French sensation to return with the same dominance he had been displaying — and once he does, the Spurs hope to continue building on a season that began with lofty expectations.