Spurs expect Victor Wembanyama back for one of final games

Spurs expect Victor Wembanyama back for one of final games originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The San Antonio Spurs are optimistic that they will have superstar center Victor Wembanyama for one of their final games of the season.

ESPN's Shams Charania shared the news via X.

"There’s confidence that Victor Wembanyama will be able to play at least one of these final two games, as soon as Friday against the Dallas Mavericks at home," Charania said. "The good news for the Spurs is that tests showed a bad bruise to his rib, which can impact breathing, so he is day-to-day.

"He needs to play at least 20 minutes in one more game. The Spurs and Victor Wembanyama are confident he’ll be able to do so, potentially on Friday."

The 22-year-old superstar suffered a rib contusion in the first half of Monday's contest against the Philadelphia 76ers. Things got a little tricky for San Antonio when the injury occurred, and he didn't return for the second half.

However, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson wasn't too worried about the severity of it.

Wembanyama has been everything and more for the Spurs this season. He's been the engine that has driven this team to a stellar 60+ win season and is among the frontrunners for MVP.

The Frenchman has been stellar all season long. In 63 games, Wembanyama is averaging 24.8 points per game, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.1 blocks while shooting 51 percent from the field.

According to BetMGM, Wembanyama has the second-best odds to win MVP at +2000. After the Spurs' contest against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, San Antonio will have two games remaining: Friday against the Dallas Mavericks and Sunday against the Denver Nuggets.