The San Antonio Spurs beat the New York Knicks, although Victor Wembanyama missed most of the fourth quarter with a knee injury.
The San Antonio Spurs ended 2025 with a 134-132 New Year's Eve win over the New York Knicks. Julian Champagnie set a franchise record with 11 made 3-pointers, leading the Spurs with 36 points.
Victor Wembanyama added 31 of his own to go with 13 rebounds, although he hit the floor early in the fourth quarter and went to the locker room, clutching his knee.
Fans had a moment of panic, although he walked off the court under his own strength and returned to the bench for the final minutes, still suited up, although he did not return to action.
It seems he avoided a serious injury, as the Spurs, Wembanyama, and insider Shams Charania all reported simply a hyperextension. Of course, the Spurs have long been extra cautious with Wembanyama, so it remains to be seen if he will suit up for the Spurs' next game on Friday against the Indiana Pacers.
Spurs to Be Careful With Victor Wembanyama
Hopefully, the Spurs won't need Wemby to beat the shorthanded Pacers, who have their own injuries to worry about. On the other hand, it would be good for him to quickly prove that the injury won't be nagging. After the game, he didn't raise cause for alarm.
"I was confident," said Wembanyama postgame. "I was this close to coming back to the game, but they had to hold me back."
In the moment, Wembanyama knew that he needed to come out of the game, but immediately understood it was not a serious injury.
"I know when it hurt, but the good thing is, it was just a hyperextension, so it should be minimal, whatever the thing is," he added. "But, yeah, we're going to do everything tomorrow still to check that everything's okay."
Mitch Johnson, who has long been wary of disclosing too much injury information, also did not sound worried.
"He finished the game on the bench with his teammates, so I think that made me feel good," pointed out the head coach. "I have no idea what to say, but it was good to see him walk back out and be able to finish the game on the bench with his teammates."
With Jay Huff serving as the Pacers' starting center, don't be surprised or concerned if the Spurs exercise caution and keep Wembanyama out of the next game, especially with no rest before the next game at home against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 3rd.