Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Propels San Antonio to NBA Finals
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Wembanyama registered 22 points (7-15 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 5-7 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal over 42 minutes in Saturday's 111-103 win over the Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals.
Wembanyama's stat line in Game 7 wasn't the most flashy, but the Spurs needed every second out of their superstar center, who led the team in points and rebounds while anchoring the defense to lead San Antonio to its first NBA Finals since the 2013-14 season. He was named the MVP of the Western Conference Finals after averaging 27.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.7 blocks, 1.4 steals and 2.3 threes over 37.7 minutes per game. Game 1 of the NBA Finals takes place in San Antonio on Wednesday, when Wembanyama and the Spurs welcome in Jalen Brunson and the Knicks.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Leads Spurs to Game 7
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Wembanyama finished with 28 points (10-21 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocks across 28 minutes in Thursday's 118-91 win over Oklahoma City in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals.
Wembanyama had 20 points and went 0-for-5 from deep in the 127-114 Game 5 loss to the Thunder on Tuesday. However, the 22-year-old played much better in Game 6, scoring 28 points while draining 44.4 percent of his attempts from behind the three-point line. With the series tied, both clubs will head to Oklahoma City for Game 7 on Saturday. In three road games during the Western Conference Finals, Wembanyama has averaged 27.3 points, 15.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 3.3 blocks and 1.3 steals over 41.3 minutes per contest.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Held in check in Game 5 loss
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Wembanyama accumulated 20 points (4-15 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 12-12 FT), six rebounds, one assist, three blocks and two steals over 38 minutes during Tuesday's 127-114 loss to the Thunder in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.
It was his worst offensive performance of the series so far, although he was able to make his usual impact on the defensive end. Wembanyama has recorded multiple blocks and at least one steal in all five games. The 22-year-old superstar is averaging 28.2 points, 11.8 boards, 3.6 assists, 3.0 blocks, 1.8 threes and 1.4 steals in 38.8 minutes against the Thunder in the WCF, and he'll look to help the Spurs stay alive on their home court in Game 6 on Thursday.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Erupts for 33 points Sunday
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Wembanyama closed with 33 points (11-22 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 8-9 FT), eight rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals across 31 minutes in Sunday's 103-82 win over the Thunder in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.
Wembanyama turned in an efficient all-around performance and scored 22 of his game-high 33 points in the first half, including a buzzer-beating shot from half court to end the second quarter. Although the superstar big man failed to grab double-digit boards for a second consecutive contest, he stuffed the stat sheet and chipped in at least three combined steals-plus-blocks for a sixth straight game. Wembanyama and the Spurs now look toward Game 5 in Oklahoma City, where they'll aim to take a 3-2 series lead.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Can't lead Spurs to win Friday
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Wembanyama finished with 26 points (8-15 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 8-10 FT), four rebounds, three assists, one steal and two blocks across 39 minutes in Friday's 123-108 loss to Oklahoma City in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.
Wembanyama combined for 41 boards in Games 1 and 2, but he cooled off significantly on the glass Friday while accumulating only four rebounds. With the Thunder now up 2-1 in the Western Conference Finals, both teams will meet for Game 4 on Sunday. Wembanyama did thrive as a scorer, and he'll likely need to turn in a similar caliber of performance on the offensive end in Game 4 on Sunday for the Spurs to have a chance to tie up the series at 2-2.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Makes history in victory
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Wembanyama racked up 41 points (14-25 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 12-13 FT), 24 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one steal across 49 minutes in Monday's 122-115 double-overtime win over the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
The Thunder threw the kitchen sink at Wembanyama in this one, though it didn't stop him from becoming the youngest player in NBA history to record at least 40 points and 20 rebounds in a playoff game. The superstar center led all players in points, rebounds and blocks in a career-high 49 minutes. His 24 rebounds were also a career high, and he has now logged seven double-doubles this postseason. While it'll be a difficult performance to replicate, Wembanyama will look to remain highly productive and lead San Antonio to a commanding 2-0 series lead in Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Scores 19 points in Game 6 win
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Wembanyama finished Friday's 139-109 win over the Timberwolves in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals with 19 points (6-11 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 7-9 FT), six rebounds, three blocks and two assists across 27 minutes.
Wembanyama wasn't overly aggressive hunting his shot in this one, as the backcourt duo of Stephon Castle and De'Aaron Fox combined for 53 points. Wembanyama also led San Antonio's starters in blocks and has recorded three swats in back-to-back outings. The star big man and the Spurs will now turn their focus to the Western Conference Finals, where they'll face the Thunder.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Double-doubles with five dimes
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Wembanyama popped off for 27 points (9-16 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 7-9 FT), 17 rebounds, five assists and three blocks over 33 minutes during Tuesday's 126-97 Game 5 win over the Timberwolves in the Western Conference Semifinals.
Wembanyama was locked in from the jump, notching a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double by halftime, which put him in the same company as Tim Duncan and David Robinson as the only Spurs with a 20/10 double-double in a half of a playoff game. The Spurs will look to close out the series in Game 6 in Minnesota on Friday.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Ejected Sunday
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Wembanyama was ejected in the second quarter of Sunday's Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Timberwolves after being assessed a Flagrant 2 foul, Anthony Slater of ESPN.com reports. He'll finish the game with four points (2-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt), four rebounds and one assist in 12 minutes.
The star big man was tossed with 8:39 remaining in the second quarter after elbowing Naz Reid in the chin. With Wembanyama unavailable for the remainder of the game, Luke Kornet should help pick up the slack.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Another strong showing Wednesday
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Wembanyama finished with 19 points (7-15 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 15 rebounds, two assists, one steal and two blocks across 26 minutes in Wednesday's 133-95 win over Minnesota in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Wembanyama had an 11-point, 15-rebound, 12-block triple-double in Game 1 on Monday night. However, with the Spurs building a commanding lead early in this contest, the 22-year-old was needed for only 26 minutes before he got to call it a night, his third straight game under 20 points. With the series knotted at one game each, both clubs will head to Minnesota for Game 3 on Friday night.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Cleared for Game 4
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Wembanyama (concussion) is available for Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs against the Trail Blazers on Sunday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Wembanyama entered the league's concussion protocol following the Spurs' Game 2 loss. He was unavailable to play in Game 3 on Friday, but the superstar center has progressed enough in his recovery to play in Game 4 on Sunday, and his return will result in Luke Kornet reverting to a bench role. In Game 1 last Sunday, Wembanyama played 33 minutes and finished with 33 points, five rebounds, one assist and two blocks.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Ruled out Friday
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Wembanyama (concussion) has been ruled out for Friday's Game 3 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Trail Blazers, Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports.
Wembanyama sustained a concussion in Tuesday's Game 2 loss and will be held out of Friday's contest after going through San Antonio's morning shootaround. The star big man's next chance to play will come in Portland on Sunday. With Wembanyama out, Luke Kornet will likely get the starting nod, while Carter Bryant and Harrison Barnes could also see increased burn.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Traveling for Game 3
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Wembanyama (concussion) will travel with the Spurs ahead of Friday's Game 3 in Portland, Jared Weiss of The Athletic reports.
Wembanyama was diagnosed with a concussion Tuesday, and his status for Game 3 remains in the air. He was spotted at practice Thursday, but he was off to the side getting some light shots up on his own. More clarity will likely be known Thursday evening.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Diagnosed with concussion
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Wembanyama has been diagnosed with a concussion and will undergo further testing Wednesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Wembanyama exited Tuesday's 106-103 Game 2 loss to the Trail Blazers after falling face-first onto the court in the second quarter. The star big man could still return for Game 3 in Portland on Friday depending on the severity of the injury, but for now, he should be considered highly questionable. If the 22-year-old is unable to play Friday, Luke Kornet would likely get the starting nod at center.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Leaves for locker room
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Wembanyama exited to the locker room in the second quarter of Tuesday's Game 2 against Portland due to an apparent facial injury, Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Wembanyama fell face-first onto the court and ran back to the locker room with 8:57 remaining in the second quarter. Luke Kornet will likely help pick up the slack while Wembanyama is sidelined. The star big man can be considered questionable to return until further notice.
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Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Steamrolled by Wemby in Game 1
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Clingan totaled four points (2-7 FG, 0-3 3Pt), seven rebounds and one assist in 22 minutes during Sunday's 111-98 loss to San Antonio in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
The second-year center had recorded double-doubles in his last two regular-season matchups with the Spurs, but Clingan simply couldn't handle Victor Wembanyama in the latter's playoff debut. Through seven contests in April, Clingan is averaging 10.0 points, 10.4 boards, 2.1 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 threes over 26.1 minutes, and he'll need to raise his game if Portland is going to avoid a quick exit.
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Spurs' Luke Kornet: Available to play Sunday
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Kornet (shoulder) is not listed on the Spurs' injury report ahead of Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs against the Trail Blazers on Sunday.
Kornet was dealing with right shoulder soreness toward the tail end of the regular season, which prompted the Spurs to rest the veteran big man against the Nuggets on April 12. Kornet has been cleared to play Sunday and will likely remain the top big man off San Antonio's bench behind Victor Wembanyama.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Not listed on injury report
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Wembanyama (ribs) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Sunday's Game 1 matchup with the Trail Blazers.
Wembanyama sat out San Antonio's regular-season finale with a minor rib injury, but he should be back and starting Sunday. His return should shift Mason Plumlee back to the second unit.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Out for season finale
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Wembanyama (ribs) is out for Sunday's game against Denver, Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com reports.
Wembanyama returned from a one-game absence for Friday's 139-120 win over the Mavericks. However, since he reached the 65-game threshold for awards eligibility, he can take the night off to rest up for the postseason. With Luke Kornet (shoulder) also out, Mason Plumlee or Kelly Olynyk could get the start at the five.
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Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Ruled out for Wednesday
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Wembanyama (ribs) is out for Wednesday's game against Portland, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
No surprise here, as Wembanyama was previously listed as doubtful. Although he's sitting out Wednesday, the Spurs are hopeful to have him back in the lineup Friday against Dallas. Luke Kornet will have plenty of streaming appeal for Wednesday's matchup.
