Victor Wembanyama Releases Resounding First Statement After Suffering Brutal Injury 

Victor Wembanyama suffered a brutal leg injury on Wednesday as the San Antonio Spurs escaped the New York Knicks, 134-132. Wembanyama played just 24 minutes, absorbing the injury with 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter, before finishing the game with 31 points and 13 rebounds.

Wembanyama spoke about his hyperextended knee following the game, dismissing its severity, as he believes he is feeling good despite the injury. The Spurs superstar added that he expects not to miss any time with the Spurs.

“I'm feeling good, just sore," he said. "I was close to coming back into the game but they had to hold me back… I expect to be back next game. I'm not sure what the medical staff expects.”

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The injury happened during Wembanyama's rebounding battle with the Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordan Clarkson. As soon as he gobbled the rebound, Wembanyama went down in pain before marching to the dugout as soon as the play stopped.

It was soon diagnosed as a slight hyperextension in his knee as initial tests showed no major issue, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

Wembanyama then returned to the Spurs' bench late in the game, relieving any major injury concerns.

Wembanyama has been a significant contributor to the Spurs' rise as a Western Conference contender this season, averaging 24.0 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game.

He was the second West star this week to hyperextend his knee as Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic, a former NBA MVP, suffered the same fate in their previous game against the Miami Heat, putting him out of action for at least four weeks.

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Wembanyama remains thankful it was just a hyperextension

At least for now, Victor Wembanyama is not expected to miss time. According to him, the hyperextension diagnosis was still a blessing as it saved him from any major setback.

“It’s a good thing it was just a hyperextension,” he said. “It should be minimal, whatever this thing is.”

Meanwhile, Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson expressed his feelings upon seeing Wembanyama's return to the bench towards the end of the game.

"Have not been able to talk to the medical staff yet, but I think I saw what everybody else saw. Obviously, he finished the game on the bench with his teammates. So, I think that made me feel good," Johnson said.

Earlier in the season, Wembanyama nursed a calf strain that caused him to miss 12 games.

The Spurs will return to action on Friday, Jan. 2.

Edited by Rob Andrew Lo