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Spurs rule Victor Wembanyama out with left calf tightness

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    Michael C. WrightNov 16, 2025, 02:46 PM ET

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    • Joined ESPN in 2010
    • Previously covered Bears for ESPN.com
    • Played college football at West Texas A&M

SAN ANTONIO — Listed as questionable early Sunday due to left calf tightness, San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama was ruled out for the club’s 123-110 win over the Sacramento Kings.

“It’s just something that he felt,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “I don’t think there was a specific play. Obviously, we’ve seen around this league recently, the calf-tightness thing is not something you want to take lightly. So, [we’ve] just got to get some more information. Don’t want to push it there.”

The Spurs also lost second-year guard Stephon Castle at halftime of Sunday’s game due to what the team called a hip injury.

Wembanyama, 21, played 38 minutes in San Antonio’s physical NBA Cup loss Friday to the Golden State Warriors, and contributed a team-high 26 points with 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks. The performance marked the Frenchman’s third-consecutive outing with 25 points and 10 rebounds, matching the longest such streak of his career, according to ESPN Research.

Johnson said that the early tip-off time for Sunday’s matchup against Sacramento did not factor into the team’s decision to sit out Wembanyama.

“Again, [with] calf tightness, there are certain things that you don’t want it to be a gateway thing or anything like that,” Johnson said. “So, you just need to be clear on what’s going on out of precaution here.”

Veteran addition Luke Kornet will start in Wembanyama’s place.

In his third season, Wembanyama is averaging career-highs in points (26.2), rebounds (12.9) and assists (4.0) while leading the league in blocks per game (3.6).

In other injury news, rookie guard Dylan Harper (left calf strain) is “progressing,” according to Johnson. Harper first suffered the calf injury on Nov. 2 but is no longer wearing a walking boot on his left leg.

“It’s getting better,” Johnson said. “He’s out of the boot. You’ve just got to build that thing up. For every day that you were in the boot or off the court, you’ve probably got to hit it on the other side. It’ll be good to have him back on the court ramping up pretty soon.”

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Basketball

Victor Wembanyama ruled out of Spurs-Kings game with calf tightness

Victor Wembanyma has been ruled out of Sunday’s game between the San Antonio Spurs and Sacramento Kings with calf tightness.

The Spurs announced his status prior to Sunday afternoon’s tip, a day after Wembanyama was listed as questionable with the injury. It wasn’t immediately clear if the injury projected to sideline Wembanyama beyond Sunday’s game.

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Wembanyama was limited to 46 games last season due largely to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder that ended his season early. He’s returned in his third NBA season in remarkable form while continuing to build on his unprecedented skill set.

Victor Wembanyama is sidelined for the first time this season.

Victor Wembanyama is sidelined for the first time this season.

(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect / Reuters)

Through 12 games, Wembanyama is averaging 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3.6 blocks and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 50.2% from the field and 34.5% on 4.8 3-point attempts per game.

Alongside reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, Wembanyama has led the Spurs to an 8-4 record that was good for fifth place in the West prior to Sunday’s game. The Spurs also recently got All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox back from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the first eight games of the season.

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San Antonio is on an early track to earn its first playoff berth in eight seasons. Wembanyama’s health is obviously key to that projection as the Spurs hope for a quick return to the court for their injured superstar.

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