Victor Wembanyama Ready to Return: Spurs Prodigy Primed for NBA Cup Semifinal Showdown vs Thunder

[H2]Victor Wembanyama Injury Update: Calf Strain Nearly Healed[/H2] San Antonio formally upgraded 7-foot-4 star Victor Wembanyama to “probable” for Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinal after he missed 12 games with a left calf strain, signaling the French phenom’s imminent return to the floor. Team officials say Wembanyama “felt great” in Friday’s practice and completed all non-contact and live drills without discomfort, clearing the final medical checkpoint ahead of tip-off. [H2]What Wembanyama’s Return Means for Spurs vs. Thunder[/H2] 1. Rim protection: San Antonio’s defensive rating fell from 7th to 18th during his absence; his 3.1 blocks per game should immediately plug the paint. 2. Spacing and mismatch creation: His 35 % three-point clip at 7-4 stretches Oklahoma City’s interior defense, opening driving lanes for Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson. 3. Rebounding edge: OKC ranks 25th in defensive rebounding; Wembanyama’s 10.4 boards per game could swing extra possessions. [H2]How the Spurs Stayed Afloat Without Their Star[/H2] • Jeremy Sochan logged career highs in usage, averaging 17.6 points over the 12-game span. • Rookie guard Stephon Castle stabilized the offense with a 4.8:1 assist-to-turnover ratio. • Head coach Gregg Popovich leaned on small-ball lineups, posting a surprising 5-7 record that kept San Antonio within striking distance of a Western Conference playoff berth. [H2]Scouting Report: Matchup to Watch[/H2] Expect frequent switches between Wembanyama and Thunder center Chet Holmgren in a duel of 7-foot unicorns who can block shots and shoot threes. The winner of that matchup could dictate pace and paint touches in Las Vegas. [H2]Beyond the NBA Cup: Long-Term Outlook[/H2] • Minutes restriction: Popovich hinted Wembanyama will be capped near 28 minutes in his first game back. • All-Star push: Despite the layoff, he still averages 24.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.1 blocks; a strong December could cement his second straight All-Star selection. • Load management: The medical staff plans periodic rest on back-to-backs, mindful that calf injuries can relapse if workload spikes too quickly. [H2]Bottom Line[/H2] If Wembanyama looks anything like the player who opened the season with four 30-plus-point outings, San Antonio instantly regains its identity as a top-10 defense with a generational mismatch on offense. Saturday’s semifinal against Oklahoma City isn’t just his return; it’s the Spurs’ best chance to turn momentum into a deep postseason run.