Wemby dodges bullet: Could still play before postseason cutoff

Victor Wembanyama isn’t seriously hurt. The Spurs star suffered a rib contusion, but early signs are encouraging — he’s not facing a major injury setback that could derail San Antonio’s season.

Here’s what matters: Wemby is doubtful for tonight’s game against Portland, but there’s real optimism he’ll suit up for at least one of the Spurs’ final three contests. Why does that matter? Because he needs to play in at least one more game to qualify for postseason awards and individual accolades. With the season winding down on April 8th, every game counts.

The Spurs aren’t taking chances with their franchise player. A rib contusion can linger and get worse if you rush back, so sitting out Portland makes sense if it means getting Wemby healthy for a potential playoff run. But the fact that the team is optimistic about his availability in the coming days tells you everything — this isn’t a long-term concern.

For a Spurs team trying to make noise in the postseason, having Wemby at full strength is essential. Losing him to injury down the stretch would’ve been devastating. Instead, San Antonio got lucky.