NBA Basketball 3h Briefing
×Last updated: March 12, 2026, 11:59 PM ET
NBA Basketball
Victor Wembanyama sat out Thursday's clash espn.com against the Denver Nuggets due to right ankle soreness, a significant blow to the San Antonio Spurs' title aspirations as the star center missed his second consecutive game. The Spurs' absence of their 7-foot-2 rookie pivot, who averages 20.3 points and 9.8 rebounds, leaves a void in their interior defense and rebounding depth against a Nuggets team led by Nikola Jokic's elite playmaking. This absence underscores the team's vulnerability without their primary rim protector, especially against a Nuggets squad that ranks among the league's best in offensive efficiency. The Spurs' front office now faces a critical decision on Wembanyama's recovery timeline, with the team currently sitting 4.5 games out of a playoff berth in the Western Conference.