NBA: Victor Wembanyama likely to return this week

While Victor Wembanyama is listed as doubtful for the San Antonio Spurs' Thursday home game against the Portland Trail Blazers, he avoided a serious rib injury and is expected to return this week, per an ESPN report.

The MVP candidate sustained a left rib contusion in the second quarter Monday when he collided with Philadelphia forward Paul George. Wembanyama originally returned to the game for a few minutes, but was in visible pain and didn't play in the second half.

Testing done on Tuesday showed that Wembanyama avoided serious injury and is day-to-day, per ESPN. Wembanyama needs to play at least 20 minutes in one of the Spurs' final three games in order to reach the 65-game threshold required for postseason award consideration.

In addition to being in the MVP conversation, Wembanyama is a heavy favorite to win her first NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in his third season. He finished second in DPOY voting as a rookie in 2023-24.

Wembanyama, 22, is averaging a career-high 24.8 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. He leads the league in blocks per game (3.1, more than one more than anyone else) and is fourth in rebounding.

-Field Level Media/Reuters