Spurs' Star Rookie Wembanyama Benched, Hiccup Halts High-Flying Hoops Run

The high-flying San Antonio Spurs rookie sensation, Victor Wembanyama, touted by many as the front-runner for Rookie of the Year, will be sidelined for the first time in his early NBA career due to hip tightness. Following an impressive performance on the scoreboard with a 21-point, 12-rebound that included four blocks despite the Spurs' overtime defeat to the Atlanta Hawks. Wembanyama will be absent from the roster when his team squares off against the New Orleans Pelicans tonight, according to KSAT. 

The 7-foot phenom was seen engaging in some unusual pre-game acrobatics Thursday morning, while the Spurs' medical staff put him through paces that would presumably keep him away for the game. After playing hard on Thursday against the Hawks, he may have worsened his hip tightness. "Wemby," as the young star is affectionately nicknamed, is running a steamy campaign in his debut season with an impressive tally of 19.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, topping all rookies and also leading the league with 2.7 blocks, as reported by ESPN.

The Spurs' well-seasoned coach, Gregg Popovich, lent a note of caution, hinting after Thursday night's showdown that Wembanyama "may not play tomorrow," as they awaited the hip's reaction to the stress of the game. Nevertheless, fans will be missing the electric displays of athleticism that have become Wembanyama's trademark early on, as the hard court now awaits his swift recovery.

While the Spurs welcome the Pelicans at 7:00 p.m. without their star rookie, they'll be hoping this injury doesn't become a recurring character in the story of their season. "He was moving much more than usual during a shootaround session," as reported by KSAT.