Victor Wembanyama steps on ball boy's foot, sprains ankle

Field Level Media|published: Sun 24th December, 11:13 2023

Dec 23, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich speaks with San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. credits: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The San Antonio Spurs don't play again until Tuesday, giving the sprained right ankle of rookie center Victor Wembanyama at least a few days off.

Wembanyama missed Saturday's game against the host Dallas Mavericks after he sustained the injury when he stepped on the foot of a ball boy during his pregame warmup routine. The top overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft retreated to the locker room for testing before being ruled out for the game.

"He was warming up and came down on a ball boy's foot and tweaked his ankle again," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said after his team's 144-119 loss. "He probably could have played. If it was a playoff game, I probably would have played him.

"He's not happy about it, but I would rather err on the conservative side since it's the same ankle that you just got a time limitation on. But just a freak, freak accident before the game."

Wembanyama sat out Tuesday's 132-119 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks because of soreness in his right ankle. He returned two nights later but played just 22 minutes in San Antonio's 114-95 setback to the Chicago Bulls.

Wembanyama, 19, is averaging 18.5 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, 2.8 assists and 1.4 steals in 25 games this season.

The Spurs are 1-22 after a 3-2 start to the season. They host the Utah Jazz on Tuesday.

—Field Level Media

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