Victor Wembanyama is questionable for Sunday’s regular season finale against Denver due to left ribcage soreness, the Spurs announced Saturday.
Wembanyama returned from a one-game absence to record 40 points and 13 rebounds in just 26 minutes in Friday night’s 139-120 win over Dallas.
Wembanyama’s backup, Luke Kornet, was ruled out against the Nuggets because of right shoulder soreness, an injury he suffered in the fourth quarter against the Mavericks when he got whacked on the arm while being defended by the Mavericks’ Sean Powell in the paint.
The Spurs could also be without two other starters after they listed Stephon Castle (left foot soreness) and Devin Vassell (right ribcage soreness) as questionable.
Castle missed the last two games with a variety of nagging injuries. Rookie Dylan Harper has replaced him in the starting lineup.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson suggested after Friday’s game a few regulars could be held out against Denver.
“We’re locked into where we’re at (second seed in the Western Conference), so we’re just kind of focusing on us,” he said. “And that may mean rest for this guy, that may mean reps for that guy. But we’ll have those conversations in the next 48 hours.”
Johnson indicated Kornet’s injury is not serious.
“The hits per minute (he sustains each game), I don’t know if that’s a stat, he’d be pretty high,” Johnson said. “And so he got hit a couple times, but I think he’s OK.”
The Nuggets will also be shorthanded after they ruled All-Star Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, Tim Hardaway Jr. and several others out with minor injuries.
Nikola Jokic, like Wembanyama, his fellow MVP candidate, is questionable. Jokic, though, needs to play at least 20 minutes to satisfy the NBA’s 65-game rule to qualify for awards.