On December 23, Victor Wembanyama stepped on the foot of a Dallas Mavericks staffer, ruling him out for the game. Since then, Wembanyama has been dealing with an ankle injury, and the San Antonio Spurs have had him on a minutes restriction. On top of that, he’s also not playing in back-to-backs.
The Spurs have an upcoming back-to-back against the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards on January 19 and January 20. Up to this point, Wembanyama has been sitting out on the second leg of back-to-backs, but this time around, he stated his preference to sit out the first game. He wants to play against former teammate and fellow Frenchman Bilal Coulibaly.
While Wembanyama wasn’t allowed to make the choice himself, he gave his input, and the Spurs are giving him his wish. Wembanyama will sit against the Hornets and play against Coulibaly and the Wizards.
“I wish I could play in both,” Wembanyama said via Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News. “But of course I’m excited to play against Bilal.”
Wembanyama expressed how happy he is that Coulibaly is finding his way in the league.
“I’m just so proud of him,” Wembanyama said. “It is going to feel weird for sure [to go up against him.”
Coulibaly played with Wembanyama in France on Metropolitans 92 and was selected seventh overall by the Wizards in the 2023 NBA Draft.
So far this season, Coulibaly is averaging 8.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting 46.7% from the field and 38.8% from behind the three-point line. He’s playing 26.3 minutes per game.
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