Gregg Popovich will continue to spare Victor Wembanyama during “back-to-back”

Brilliant the day before with 30 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 7 blocks during the first confrontation between Portland and San Antonio, Victor Wembanyama was not part of the “rematch” between the two teams this night. Hit several times in the right ankle in recent weeks, the first choice of the last Draft must take precautions to avoid aggravating his injury, according to the Spurs medical staff.

Before the match, his coach Gregg Popovich said he supported the decision of the medical staff to leave “Wemby” to rest, adding that his playing time would also be reduced.

“He's on a minutes restriction and won't be able to play back-to-back for a few weeks until they do another x-ray and can check his foot again.”, said the Spurs technician.

A question of trust

Although he had already twisted his ankle in Houston ten days earlier, Victor Wembanyama stepped on the foot of a “ball boy” on December 23, during the warm-up of a match against Dallas. Here too, the staff opted for caution by not playing him. Even if the player doesn't necessarily like it, his health takes precedence.

“When we left him on the bench in Dallas, he wasn’t happy, but I’m glad he’s not happy”added Coach Pop'. “He’s a competitor. All these guys, at this level, didn't get there by not being competitive. So he would prefer to play. This frustrates him more than anything.”

Despite the frustration, Victor Wembanyama also understands the importance of these issues, and had also expressed his confidence in the medical staff of the Texan franchise on Tuesday, on the occasion of his return to the group.

“We communicate a lot with the medical staff and I made it clear that I wanted them to put me on the bench if necessary,” said “Wemby”. “If it were up to me, I would play every game. But I respect my role. They are professionals. I am a professional. I try to do my job as best as possible.”

How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.