San Antonio Spurs fans held their breath on Wednesday night as Victor Wembanyama, the team’s star center and reigning All-Star, limped off the court with a hyperextended left knee during a dramatic 134-132 comeback victory over the New York Knicks at Frost Bank Center. The incident, which occurred early in the fourth quarter, threatened to overshadow one of the most thrilling games of the NBA season so far—but initial reports and Wembanyama’s own words have eased concerns about a long-term setback.
The injury struck with 10:34 left in the game, as the Spurs trailed 102-96. Wembanyama went up for a rebound against the Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordan Clarkson, only to land awkwardly. His left knee buckled, and he immediately grabbed it in pain. Teammate Stephon Castle rushed to his side, helping him to his feet as the sellout crowd of 18,062 watched in stunned silence. Wembanyama limped off under his own power, heading directly to the locker room for examination, followed closely by Spurs general manager Brian Wright and trainer Will Sevening.
"I'm feeling good, just sore," Wembanyama told reporters after the game, offering a glimmer of hope to fans. "I'm confident. I was close to coming back into the game. They had to hold me back...It was just a hyperextension. It should be minimal. We are going to do everything tomorrow to make sure it is OK." He added, "I expect to be back the next game." Initial tests reportedly ruled out any major injury, but Wembanyama is set for further evaluation on Thursday to confirm the diagnosis.
Coach Mitch Johnson, who had not yet spoken with the medical staff by the time of his postgame press conference, echoed the sense of relief. "Obviously, he finished the game on the bench with his teammates, so I think that made me feel good. I have no idea what to say, but it was good to see him walk back out and be able to finish the game on the bench with his teammates," Johnson said.
Wembanyama’s return to the bench with 1:22 left—this time in warm-ups and walking without a limp—provided a boost not just to his teammates but to the entire arena. He cheered on the Spurs in the closing moments, and after the final buzzer, he even joined in the team’s new tradition of banging the drum at center court as fans clapped in unison. The sight of their star moving comfortably was a welcome one, especially given Wembanyama’s injury history this season.
Earlier in the year, Wembanyama missed 12 games due to a left calf strain suffered against the Golden State Warriors on November 14. He returned to action on December 13 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, initially coming off the bench for six games before reclaiming his starting role on December 27. Since returning, the Spurs have carefully managed his minutes, and Wednesday’s contest marked just his third start since the calf injury.
Before his exit, Wembanyama was putting on a show. In just 24 minutes, he racked up 31 points, 13 rebounds, and one block—his most productive all-around performance since coming back from the calf strain. Entering the night, he was averaging 24.0 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game, and he’s been on pace to average a double-double for the third straight season, with a career-high 51.4% shooting so far. His impact on the Spurs’ rise toward the top of the Western Conference has been nothing short of transformative.
The Spurs’ resilience was on full display after Wembanyama’s departure. Trailing by six at the time of the injury and having faced a 19-point second-period deficit earlier, San Antonio rallied behind Julian Champagnie. The sharpshooting forward exploded for a career-high 36 points, draining a franchise-record 11 three-pointers on 17 attempts—all of his field goals coming from beyond the arc. Champagnie’s heroics sparked a 71-point second half, turning the tide and securing a narrow victory over a Knicks squad that had bested the Spurs in the NBA Cup final just two weeks prior.
"He was fine with his spirits, just chilling, laughing, walking around," Champagnie said of Wembanyama’s demeanor in the locker room after the game. The team’s ability to rally in the face of adversity, especially with their star sidelined, is a testament to the depth and resolve that has characterized this Spurs squad all season.
The game itself was a crucial one, with both teams entering the night in second place in their respective conferences. The Spurs, locked in a tight race with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons for the top spot in the West, needed every bit of grit and determination to pull off the win. The Knicks, meanwhile, remain a formidable force in the East, and the narrow margin underscored just how competitive both teams have become.
Wembanyama’s injury also drew comparisons to a recent incident involving Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić, who suffered a similar hyperextension and is expected to miss several weeks. Fortunately for San Antonio, all signs point to a less severe outcome for their own franchise player. The Spurs are certainly hoping that further testing will confirm Wembanyama’s optimism and that he’ll be ready for their next game—a Friday road contest against the Indiana Pacers, followed by a home matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers to cap off a back-to-back.
The Spurs’ medical staff will continue to monitor Wembanyama closely, and fans across the league will be watching for updates. For now, though, the mood in San Antonio is one of relief and cautious optimism. The sight of Wembanyama walking, smiling, and supporting his teammates after a scare like that? It’s exactly what the Spurs—and the NBA—wanted to see.
As the Spurs prepare for their upcoming road trip, the focus will remain on Wembanyama’s recovery and the team’s ability to maintain their momentum. If Wednesday night’s performance was any indication, San Antonio has the talent and tenacity to weather the storm, even if their star is forced to miss time. But with Wembanyama’s own confident words ringing in their ears, Spurs fans have every reason to believe he’ll be back on the court sooner rather than later.
