San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama will not play Friday on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans due to a right hip injury, the team announced.
Wembanyama was added to the injury report this week and was questionable to play against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday with what the team called hip tightness. He suited up and recorded 21 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks in the 137-135 loss.
The No. 1 pick said afterward he didn’t experience any discomfort with the injury during the game. He has been receiving treatment for the injury and classified it as day-to-day moving forward.
“My hip feels good,” Wembanyama said. “My body, in general, feels as good as we can expect this many games into the season. I’m holding up. I feel good.”
Wembanyama has appeared in every game entering the Spurs’ matchup against the Pelicans. He has logged at least 20 minutes in each appearance and is averaging 30 minutes per game, which is tied for second-most among rookies.
The team likely wanted to exercise caution with Wembanyama and sit him in the second game of a back-to-back set. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich acknowledged Wembanyama could miss his first game as he recovers from the injury.
Wembanyama is second in odds to win Rookie of the Year after a tremendous start to the season. He is leading the class in scoring, averaging 19.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.7 blocks and 1.3 steals on 43.7% shooting from the field in 18 games.
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