San Antonio, Texas — The San Antonio Spurs have announced that center Victor Wembanyama will not participate in Friday’s game against the Indiana Pacers, following an MRI that revealed no ligament damage to his injured left knee. Wembanyama is considered day-to-day and will remain in San Antonio to undergo rehabilitation.

Wembanyama sustained the injury during a game against the New York Knicks, when he hyperextended his knee while attempting to secure an offensive rebound. With just under 11 minutes left in Wednesday’s contest, he lost possession upon landing. Fortunately for him, replays confirmed that he did not collide with any defenders during the incident.

Initially, Wembanyama expressed optimism about his recovery, stating he felt fine after the game and had hoped to take the court against the Pacers. However, he acknowledged that the team’s medical staff would ultimately determine his availability based on follow-up assessments. “It’s a good thing it was just a hyperextension,” he said. “It should be minimal, whatever this thing is.”

As Wembanyama was assisted off the court, fans witnessed a touching moment, as he shouted, “I’ll be back!” multiple times while making his way to the locker room, signaling his determination not to let the injury sideline him for long. He returned to the bench with just over a minute left in the game, appearing unbothered, and watched as the Spurs secured a nail-biting 134-132 victory against the Knicks.

Wembanyama’s performance this season has been remarkable, as he is averaging 24.3 points and 11.7 rebounds per game for the Spurs, who lead the Southwest Division with a record of 24-9. The young center has quickly become a pivotal player for the franchise, and his absence raises concerns about the team’s depth and performance moving forward.

The Spurs will now look to navigate the next games without their star player, hoping for a swift recovery as they aim to maintain their competitive edge in the league. As they prepare to face the struggling Pacers, who currently sport a 6-28 record, the team and fans alike will be eager for updates on Wembanyama’s condition.