There was a different energy when Victor Wembanyama entered the practice gym with a trio of injured San Antonio Spurs players earlier this week, coach Mitch Johnson told reporters before the team’s most recent win over the New Orleans Pelicans, and he made one promise regarding his 7-foot-5 center.
‘He’s going to be on that plane to LA, for sure. He better be,’ Johnson said.
Wembanyama is nearing a return to the court for the first time in almost a month as the Spurs (16-7) get set to face the Los Angeles Lakers (17-6) in an NBA Cup West quarterfinal game on Wednesday, Dec. 10. The third-year French star is making progress, joining his Spurs teammates on their current road trip and participating in multiple workouts in recent days.
San Antonio recently welcomed 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and big man Luke Kornet back to the lineup from injury. Will Wembanyama join them and play in the opening knockout round of the league’s in-season tournament?
Here’s the latest update on Wembanyama’s injury situation, as well as his game status when the Spurs play the Lakers in the 2025 NBA Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday:
Is Victor Wembanyama playing today?
No, Wembanyama will miss Wednesday’s contest. He was listed as out on the Spurs’ latest injury report on Tuesday, Dec. 9 ahead of their NBA Cup game against the Los Angeles Lakers. He has missed the team’s previous 11 games.
Victor Wembanyama injury update
Wembanyama joined the team in New Orleans after not traveling to start this current road trip and was a full participant in a practice on Sunday, according to the San Antonio Express-News. He then did a workout after the team’s morning shootaround on Monday and warmed up before the Spurs’ game against the Pelicans. Johnson noted, however, that the team would not place added importance on Wednesday’s game being part of the NBA Cup in terms of determining Wembanyama’s potental return.
Wembanyama appeared in just 46 games last season after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
Victor Wembanyama stats
Wembanyama was off to a strong start in his third NBA season, leading the league in blocks again (3.6 per game) and ranking second in rebounds (12.9). The 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year is averaging a career-best 26.2 points while shooting better than 50% from the floor through 12 games of the 2025-26 season.