Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama scratched vs. Mavs with sprained ankle،
DALLAS — Rookie of the Year candidate Victor Wembanyama was a late scratch for Saturday night's game against the Dallas Mavericks after spraining his right ankle when he stepped on a ball boy during his pregame warmup, according to a San Antonio Spurs spokesperson.
The ball boy was standing on the baseline when Wembanyama stepped on his foot after making a layup over a Spurs assistant coach, rolling the 7-foot-4 rookie's right ankle.
Wembanyama had his ankle remade, but Spurs decided to rule him out after further assessment.
“If it was a playoff game, I probably would have played him,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said after the 144-119 loss. “He's not happy about it, but I'd rather err on the side of caution since it's the same ankle you just had a time limit on. But just a freak accident before the game.”
Wembanyama did not play in Tuesday's loss to the Milwaukee Bucks due to right ankle soreness. He played 22 minutes in Thursday's loss to the Chicago Bulls, and Popovich said during his pregame availability that the plan was for Wembanyama to be on a minutes restriction again.
Popovich, who is in his 28th season as San Antonio's head coach, said he has never seen a player injured under similar circumstances.
“You see it on film and you can’t believe it,” Popovich said.
Wembanyama, the No. 1 overall pick, is averaging 18.5 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game. He has played in all but three games this season.
