Deutsche Tageszeitung - Wembanyama expected to return for Spurs in NBA Cup clash with Thunder

Wembanyama expected to return for Spurs in NBA Cup clash with Thunder


Wembanyama expected to return for Spurs in NBA Cup clash with Thunder
Wembanyama expected to return for Spurs in NBA Cup clash with Thunder / Photo: © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File

San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama is expected to return from a 12-game injury absence just in time for the Spurs' NBA Cup semi-final clash with the mighty Oklahoma City Thunder after being listed as "probable" Friday on the team's injury report.

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The French phenom has been sidelined with a left calf strain since November 14.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson had confirmed on Wednesday -- when the Spurs beat the Los Angeles Lakers in the Cup quarter-finals -- that the 21-year-old Wembanyama had resumed five-on-five practice and was nearing a return.

The Spurs have gone 9-3 in Wembanyama's absence, but they will face a tough challenge on Saturday against the reigning NBA champion Thunder and NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

At 24-1, the Thunder have tied the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors for the best 25-game start to a season.

Since their lone defeat, in Portland on November 5, the Thunder have won 16 straight games.

(V.Korablyov--DTZ)