The San Antonio Spurs have been without both Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama for the last nine games, although that unfortunate injury streak could be coming to an end.
The San Antonio Spurs are a wonderful 6-3 without their two Rookies of the Year. Both Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama have already missed very real time with injuries this season, and the organization seems to be in no rush to bring them back.
First of all, the Spurs do not want to do anything that could risk further injury, especially to Wembanyama. His calf injury doesn't seem to be serious, as he was never spotted in a walking boot, although his unprecedented frame and playing style have forced the Spurs to exercise a high level of caution.
Second, the Spurs have stayed afloat without two of their better players. If the team was floundering in their absence, then perhaps both of them would have already returned. The reality is that the team doesn't need Castle and Wemby, at least not to compete.
There is yet to be a concrete return date for either player, although the general consensus is that Castle will return before Wembanyama. Both are expected to be back in action at least by Christmas Day, if not earlier.
Before the holiday might be the safe bet, as all of the injured Spurs were full participants at a recent practice.
"Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Jordan McLaughlin were all full participants in the Spurs' workout Sunday on the campus of Tulane University, a key step in the team returning to full health," reported the Express-News' Jeff McDonald. "In other injury news, center Luke Kornet, who missed the loss in Cleveland with an ankle sprain, is expected to be cleared to play Monday."
McDonald doesn't expect McLaughlin, Castle, or Wembanyam to suit up against the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Spurs are still heavy favorites, even without key players.
While the Spurs have managed without Castle and Wembanyama, they thrived when they were at their best. This season, the Spurs are 3-1 when both Wembanyama and Castle score at least 20 points. Their lone loss came against the Golden State Warriors.
Of course, the Spurs have benefited from a fairly easy schedule while the stars are out. As their competition heats up (games against the OKC Thunder on December 23rd and 25th!), it's expected that they will slide a bit down the standings if Wemby and Castle don't return.
Still, it's hard to count out the Harrison Barnes and De'Aaron Fox duo, who have thrived with a bigger workload.