Victor Wembanyama's Spurs rookie season is over. The Spurs announced that the 7-foot-4 French sensation will not play in Sunday's season finale against the Detroit Pistons, concluding a year in which he will likely win rookie of the year.
He finished with 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and an NBA-best 3.6 blocked shots. Gregg Popovich intimated following Friday's win over Denver that Wembanyama might miss the finale, and the team confirmed that Saturday. The official explanation was right ankle injury treatment.
What’s really been interesting is when you watch him from the beginning of the year to now is how much better he’s gotten,” Denver coach Michael Malone said this month. “It's noticeable. He was talented when he came in, but Pop has done a great job growing him up in one season.”
Wembanyama, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, played in 71 games for the Spurs, who finished 21-60 and equaled Portland for the worst Western Conference record.
He scored 34 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and five 3-pointers in his final rookie game, a 121-120 triumph over defending NBA champion Denver on Friday. Wembanyama spiked the ball as time expired after the Spurs won their largest comeback game of the season after coming back from 23 points behind.
As a young, growing team, it’s big for us,” Wembanyama said after the game. “We need these wins in the future. Any win is needed. However, we will need major wins against top teams and first seeds in the future.”
Just the fourth player and first rookie to have 1,500 points, 250 assists, and 250 blocked shots in a season. Others: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar five times, Hakeem Olajuwon twice, and former Spurs great David Robinson twice. Olajuwon and Robinson had similar seasons in 1993-94, but nobody had since.
Wembanyama won't play again for Spurs until next season, but fans will likely see him play before then. He may represent France at the Paris Olympics this summer. He's often maintained the Spurs are on the right track to contend again.
“We’ve got the potential to be great,” Wembanyama remarked. I can only hope this is as amazing as it possibly be since we get to live this with the fans.”
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