The San Antonio Spurs may be without their star rookie Victor Wembanyama when they take on the Phoenix Suns in Austin on Thursday night. The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year is listed as doubtful due to an undisclosed illness, casting uncertainty over his availability for the highly anticipated matchup.
Wembanyama, the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, has taken the league by storm in his debut season. The 7-foot-4 French phenom is averaging an impressive 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and a league-leading 3.8 blocks per game through 46 contests. His unique blend of size, skill and versatility has made him an instant sensation and transformed the Spurs into must-see TV.
Spurs Bringing the Excitement to Austin
The game against the Suns is part of a special two-game set the Spurs are playing at the Moody Center on the University of Texas campus in Austin. It marks the third straight year San Antonio has scheduled home games in the state capital, aiming to expand their regional fanbase. The Spurs will also face the Detroit Pistons at the same venue on Friday.
Austin has a special connection to this matchup beyond just hosting the Spurs. Suns superstar Kevin Durant rose to prominence as a Texas Longhorn during his lone collegiate season in 2006-07 before becoming the No. 2 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. A showdown between Durant and Wembanyama would have been a thrilling clash of generational talents with UT ties.
Wembanyama’s Sensational Debut Season
Even if Wembanyama is sidelined, his rookie year has already been one for the ages. The 19-year-old has posted jaw-dropping stat lines and highlight plays on a nightly basis, drawing comparisons to all-time greats like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Dirk Nowitzki.
- Wembanyama became the first teenager in NBA history to record at least 20 points, 15 rebounds and 5 blocks in a game when he went for 22-16-6 in a win over the Nets.
- He set a Spurs rookie record with 8 blocks in a victory against the Bucks, outdueling MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Victor is doing things we’ve never seen before. I mean, we’ve seen great rookies come into this league, but the things he does at his size are unprecedented.
– Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich
With or without their transcendent rookie, the 24-29 Spurs still have their work cut out for them against Durant, Devin Booker and the 35-18 Suns. But even if Wembanyama misses this marquee matchup, his momentous first NBA campaign will remain the talk of the basketball world. The French prodigy has the talent and charisma to carry the league into its next era.
