Victor Wembanyama‘s status for the Spurs‘ penultimate game of the season remains up in the air as he works his way back from a rib injury, Tom Orsborn writes for the San Antonio-Express News.
The MVP candidate was ruled out for Wednesday’s game against the Blazers, but the team is confident that Wembanyama will play at least 20 minutes in one of their two remaining games so that he will be eligible for end-of-season awards. He is considered the strong favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year.
“He’s improved quite a bit, so I don’t think it’s a long-term concern, but we’ll obviously be very cautious in the situation and circumstances we’re under,” coach Mitch Johnson said.
With the star big man’s health the priority heading into the playoffs, it’s unclear if Johnson would simply play him the minimum required minutes to hit his eligibility or if he would receive a normal workload.
We have more injury notes from around the league:
- Cade Cunningham returned from the collapsed lung that kept him out for 11 games on Wednesday, contributing 13 points and 10 assists in nearly 26 minutes as the Pistons beat the Bucks. After the game, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said that Cunningham’s playing time for the rest of the season will depend on how he feels, according to The Athletic’s Hunter Patterson (via Twitter). It’s unclear whether he will suit up for their game against the Hornets on Thursday. For his part, Cunningham said that this was a new experience for him that he’s still figuring out how to deal with, per Patterson (Twitter video link). “It was different than any injury I’ve ever had as far as how it progressed initially,” Cunningham said. “From whenever I got hit to how I felt immediately to how I started to feel as time went on. Thanks to all the staff and medical that was around and helped.”
- While Stephen Curry was supposed to be on a minutes restriction in his Monday night return from a prolonged absence due to a knee injury, he exceeded the expected playing time, scoring 29 points in 26 minutes. With the Warriors playing three times in the final four days of the regular season, Curry will likely sit out either Thursday or Friday, ESPN’s Anthony Slater reports (Twitter video link). Slater speculates that Curry will miss Friday’s matchup with the Kings as he looks to get back to as close to 100% as possible before the Warriors try to win two play-in games to advance to the playoffs.
- Jayson Tatum will return to Madison Square Garden for the first time since rupturing his Achilles there in last year’s playoffs, and once again it will be in a crucial game for the Knicks, Jared Schwartz writes for the New York Post. A Celtics win will seal their hold on the second seed, while the Knicks are fighting off the Cavaliers, who are looking to seize the third seed. Tatum admitted that the experience will likely bring up some complicated feelings. “I’m not, like, thrilled to go back and play there,” he said. “Last time I played there, obviously, it was a traumatic experience for me. Obviously, I knew at some point I would have to get over that hurdle and play there again. So, it’s going to have to be this Thursday. But it’s not like I’m thrilled about it. But it’s part of it.”
I just hope Kerr gives up this silly “Curry off the bench” crud, he needs to maximize Steph’s time with Kristaps as much as he can before the play-ins.
He’s only playing 25 mins lol. Not in gm shape yet.
@Al 25 mins with 29 points? He is in perfect game shape. At the minimum KP and Steph should be playing together.
It’s not a big deal mab. 25 mins is good coming back. You said he should be starting. Relax lol. You need for playoffs. Why burn him out now.
They get reps in practice. What tgey need more than anything and first. Is for both to be healthy for playoffs. You guys are missing tge big picture here.
IF Kristaps is starting, Curry should too. Or have them both come off the bench. Kerr refusing to play them together is just proof Kerr does not want to win and is therefore invalid as a coach.
Just being cautious Davey. Tgey will start in playoffs. One thing I do like Kerr does. Is he plays 10-12 guys. Goes with hot hand. I like that. Wish Knicks would go 10 deep all the time.
@daveyj I see no desire on Kerr’s part to give Steph and Porzingis reps together. Look at this past Sunday’s game against Houston. Not a single PnR, even when they shared the court.
At this stage, it’s unreasonable to think DNKP would be more available in the future. Next year will be challenging enough with Butler and Moody out. We should spend that $25M on a healthy player.
I don’t disagree with that, but Kerr is the problem. What kind of NBA coach refuses to play his 5 best and most talented players together? Literally Steph said “look out for the PnRs with me and KP” and then Kerr blows it.
If you are going to “take it easy” with Steph, then do the same with KP and play them together as a duo.
Agree that Kerr fails the team in not finding stable lineups that feature our best.
Disagree that DNKP is able to help. He’s officially out again tonight against the Lakers. That makes zero experience with Steph going into the play-in.
Despite the hype about medical staff, he’ll miss way more games than he’ll play (only 13) for us this season.
No reasonable person expects DKNP to be healthy next season because he is, literally, NEVER healthy.
He’ll play 30 games total this season.
He played 42 in Boston the year before.
He’s averaged 44 per year over the last 9 seasons.
Nikola Vucevic is starting to look good.
Giannis, yknow, the guy they wanted instead of KP, looks best.
Good to see Cade back. Need him for playoffs.
Magic healthy, Hornets, Sixers all are tough 1st rd comp. So teams better be ready.
“”Win 2 play-in games???””
The Warriors can’t be that shortsighted.
The biggest fumble of the last 15 years is before us if they beat Portland next Wednesday night.
Considering that front offices lie continually regarding their intentions, I would confidently bet the farm on a Warriors loss versus the Blazers.
No prize in winning the play in when you get to play OKC. If tghe warriors were 100% with Butler and Moody healthy you have a shot but without those 2 its nothing.