Victor Wembanyama suffered a rib injury on April 6 against the Philadelphia 76ers. He only played 16 minutes before exiting the contest.
Here is the latest update on the San Antonio Spurs superstar for tonight’s matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Victor Wembanyama’s Injury Status Against the Trail Blazers
Wembanyama went down in the second quarter against Philadelphia. He collided with Paul George after the 76ers star attempted to steal a hit-ahead pass to Wembanyama.
George certainly made a play for the ball, but it resulted in unfortunate circumstances. The 7-foot-4 center did not return to the game.
On April 8, NBA insider Tomer Azarly provided an update on Wembanyama’s availability.
“Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle have both been ruled OUT for the Spurs tonight against the Blazers,” he wrote.
Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle have both been ruled OUT for the Spurs tonight against the Blazers.
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) April 8, 2026
The Spurs are tied with the Trail Blazers at one win apiece in the season series. However, Wembanyama has yet to play against Portland because he missed both games due to injury on November 26 and January 3. Jrue Holiday, who is quietly having his best season since the 2022-23 campaign, also missed these contests.
Wembanyama’s rim protection would have certainly helped prevent Deni Avdija from dominating inside. The Portland All-Star collected 37 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists in the first matchup and had a 29-point, 11-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in the second.
Since Wemby is absent, Luke Kornet likely gets the starting nod. Wembanyama’s 3-point spacing would have opened up driving lanes for Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox.
How the 65-Game Rule Impacts Victor Wembanyama
Wembanyama averages 24.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals, and a whopping 3.1 blocks per game. He shoots a career-high 51.0% from the field on 16.8 shots per game.
The two-time All-Star put himself in All-NBA and MVP conversations with his magnificent play this season. However, the 65-game rule plays a big factor in qualifying for these honors.
The 2023 No. 1 pick sits at 63 games played. Wembanyama must play at least two of the last three contests to become eligible for end-of-season awards. Over the last few weeks, injuries to other All-NBA candidates, such as Cade Cunningham, Anthony Edwards, and Luka Dončić, made them ineligible for awards.
The Spurs want to be cautious with their young superstar because they sit comfortably in the No. 2 seed heading into the playoffs. However, Wembanyama likely wants to suit up to meet the 65-game requirement.
