San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama returned Tuesday after a one-game absence and said he has no hard feelings toward a Dallas Mavericks employee who inadvertently injured him.
Wembanyama was a late scratch from the lineup Saturday on the road after he appeared to roll his right ankle on the foot of a Mavericks employee during a pregame warmup. He attempted to test the ankle but was ruled out of playing as a precaution.
Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said after the incident that Wembanyama likely could have played if it were a playoff game. The team wanted to err on the side of caution since Wembanyama had tweaked that ankle earlier in the week.
“I didn’t play only because of more precaution than (it) actual hurt, so it was more fear than anything bad,” Wembanyama said on Tuesday. “It’s all good. I’m not mad at the guy.”
The contest on Saturday against the Mavericks was the third Wembanyama has missed this season due to injury. He missed his first game on Dec. 1 (hip tightness) and then played in the next six games before sitting on Dec. 19 (right ankle soreness).
Upon returning on Tuesday, the No. 1 pick was placed on a minute restriction. He produced 15 points, seven rebounds, five blocks, four assists and one steal in a 130-118 loss to the Utah Jazz.
He went 6-of-15 from the field in 24 minutes.
“Of course, it is always painful to sit out and watch the guys play without you,” Wembanyama said. “As I’ve said before, we think about the long run. The first thing the coach told me after I was told I was going to sit out was that my career is bigger than just a game against Dallas, so we’re going to be smart.”
Wembanyama reported no pain or discomfort with his ankle after the game on Tuesday. However, the team is expected to hold him out of one of its upcoming back-to-back games in Portland on Thursday and Friday out of precaution.
He understands the decision.
“We communicate a lot with the medical staff,” Wembanyama said. “I’m going to trust them if they want me to sit out, but only if I really need to. If it was up to me, I’d play every game. I respect my role. They’re professionals, and I’m a professional. I’m going to try to do my job as best as I can.”
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