In what simply might have been an NBA Finals preview between two of one of the best groups within the league, the San Antonio Spurs rallied from a 19-point first-half deficit for a 134-132 win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday.
However as thrilling because the win was, the postgame focus was on the well being of Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs celebrity left the sport with 10:32 remaining with a hyperextended left knee.
“I’ve not been capable of speak to the medical employees but, however I noticed what everyone else noticed,” mentioned Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson. “There is a visible there, however he completed the sport on the bench along with his teammates in order that made me really feel good. I do not know what to say, nevertheless it was good to see him stroll again out and end the sport along with his teammates.”
Wembanyama mentioned he was sore after the sport, however “very assured” he will not must miss any time with the harm. Nonetheless, given how vital Wembanyama is to the way forward for the Spurs, the staff will likely be cautious with their celebrity. That places his standing in query when San Antonio travels to face the Indiana Pacers on Friday.
“I used to be this near coming again into the sport, however they needed to maintain me again,” Wembanyama joked. “The nice factor was that it was only a hyperextension, so it must be minimal. We will do all the things tomorrow and ensure all the things is OK.”
No matter whether or not Wembanyama fits up on Friday, the Spurs will look to construct off Wednesday’s momentum.
The Spurs trailed the Knicks by 10 on the half and by 9 heading into the fourth quarter, however outscored New York 41-30 within the last 12 minutes to shut out a much-needed house win and snap a two-game shedding streak.
“I assumed we weren’t excellent for lots of stretches within the first half and the aggressive response and the power we have been placing as the sport went on into the appropriate areas, we felt it,” Johnson mentioned. “I used to be extraordinarily pleased with guys who stepped up tonight, particularly these guys within the fourth quarter.”
No one stepped up greater than Julian Champagnie, who set a franchise report with 11 3-pointers on his technique to a career-high 36 factors. The fourth-year professional took all 17 of his photographs past the 3-point arc and transformed 5 greater than he ever had earlier than.
“I feel we have been there earlier than in relation to a man happening and somebody having to step up and determine issues out,” Champagnie mentioned. “For us (Wednesday), it was a kind of issues the place we dropped two at house, Utah and Cleveland, however we wish to defend our house court docket.”
The Pacers, then again, are attempting desperately to seek out solutions in what has been a difficult season. Indiana has battled accidents all 12 months and comes into Friday’s sport on a 10-game shedding streak, together with a 112-110 defeat towards the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. They enter 2026 with the worst report (6-28) within the league.
“The true query must be why did we quit 68 factors within the first half and solely 44 within the second half?” mentioned Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle. “And that is as a result of within the second half, we performed like a collectively staff that was supporting one another and never like strangers. That is how this has received to be. We’re having an excessive amount of pity nonsense occurring throughout video games that should go away.”
–Discipline Stage Media
