12/31/25 09:31:00
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12/31 21:29 CST Spurs' Wembanyama leaves game vs. Knicks with apparent leg
injury, returns to bench for end of game
Spurs' Wembanyama leaves game vs. Knicks with apparent leg injury, returns to
bench for end of game
By RAUL DOMINGUEZ
Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO (AP) --- San Antonio center Victor Wembanyama left Wednesday
night's rematch with the New York Knicks in the fourth quarter after suffering
an apparent left leg injury, but returned to the bench in time to see the Spurs
win 134-132.
Wembanyama took to the court after the game to gleefully lead the newest Spurs
tradition that he created --- having the crowd clap their hands after each bang
of the drum by the 7-foot-4 center, who finished with 31 points and 13 rebounds
in 24 minutes.
Wembanyama went to the locker room with just under 11 minutes remaining, but
returned to the Spurs bench with 1:22 left in the game. He was alone and
walking without a limp when he returned.
It was a welcome sight for the Spurs after some tense minutes.
Wembanyama leaped to gather an offensive rebound over Knicks enter Karl-Anthony
Towns with 10:32 left in the game and lost possession when he landed. Replays
showed there was no contact, but Wembanyama's left foot slid forward and his
knee appeared to hyperextend.
Wembanyama remained on the court while New York went on offense. Spurs forward
Kelly Olynyk intentionally committed a foul so the Spurs could check on
Wembanyama. Spurs guards Stephon Castle and De'Aaron Fox helped Wembanyama get
up before he hobbled straight to the locker room unassisted.
Wembanyama was heard yelling "I'll be back" several times to the fans as he ran
through the tunnel toward the locker room while emphatically throwing his hands
down.
San Antonio trainers, doctors and general manager Brian Wright followed
Wembanyama to the locker room.
The Knicks had beat the Spurs 124-113 on Dec. 16 to win the NBA Cup.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
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