Spurs Hopeful for Victor Wembanyama’s Return Against Kings
December 6 – The San Antonio Spurs are optimistic that superstar Victor Wembanyama will return to the lineup on Friday as they look to break a two-game losing streak against the Sacramento Kings.
Both teams will be playing the second game of a back-to-back. The Spurs suffered a 139-124 home loss to the Chicago Bulls on Thursday without Wembanyama, who was sidelined due to a sore back. The Kings also struggled, falling 115-110 to the Memphis Grizzlies, marking their third loss in the last four games.
San Antonio’s defeat was largely due to a poor first half, where they allowed 73 points and trailed by 16 at halftime. Although the Spurs made a late push, cutting the deficit to just eight points with 3:18 remaining, they couldn’t finish the comeback, surrendering nine straight points.
Keldon Johnson led the Spurs with 28 points off the bench, while Jeremy Sochan posted a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Despite the strong individual performances, acting head coach Mitch Johnson acknowledged the team’s lack of energy early on. “Lethargic would be the word—just a lack of energy in the early going,” Johnson said. “We have to do a better job.”
Wembanyama is expected to be listed as questionable for the game against the Kings but is likely to return for the Spurs’ Sunday matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Sacramento, despite leading most of their game against Memphis, also struggled late. The Kings had a 12-point lead midway through the second quarter, but Memphis ended the game on a 6-0 run and held on for the win. DeMar DeRozan led Sacramento with 26 points, while Malik Monk added 23. Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray each posted double-doubles, but the Kings’ bench was outscored 60-15 by Memphis reserves, underscoring the challenges with Sacramento’s rotation.
Coach Mike Brown has recently moved Monk into the starting lineup, a decision that he is still evaluating as the team looks for the right combination. “I just looked him in the eye and told him what I think and listened to him about how he feels about the switch,” Brown said. “We’ve been struggling, and I’m trying to make the best decision for the team.”
The Spurs have won both games in the season series, including a narrow two-point victory over the Kings in Sacramento on Sunday, where Wembanyama recorded his first triple-double of the season with 34 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists.
