San Antonio Spurs rookie, Victor Wembanyama, will miss his first NBA game due to right hip stiffness, as announced by the team.
Wembanyama, who played against the Atlanta Hawks with prior hip stiffness, achieved 21 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks in the game but will be sidelined for the next match against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Initially listed as questionable for the Hawks game, Wembanyama played, expressing post-game that the hip didn't bother him during the match.
Spurs' coach, Gregg Popovich, hinted on Thursday night that Wembanyama might not play in the next game based on how his hip reacted.
Wembanyama engaged in additional stretching during the open media shootaround on Thursday morning as he prepared to face the Hawks.
In 18 games, Wembanyama leads all rookies with averages of 19.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game, showcasing remarkable performance.
Despite Wembanyama's notable contribution, the Spurs lost to the Atlanta Hawks with a score of 137-135.
Wembanyama expressed a "day-to-day" outlook on his injury, indicating the uncertainty surrounding his availability as he manages the hip stiffness.