Spurs Beat 76ers Despite Wembanyama Injury

Rookie star exits with rib contusion as San Antonio holds on for victory

Apr. 7, 2026 at 3:49am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a basketball game, with players' bodies and the court broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color, capturing the intensity and physicality of the sport.A cubist interpretation of the intense matchup between the Spurs and 76ers, with the injury to rising star Victor Wembanyama adding high stakes to the game.Philadelphia Today

The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 115-102 on Monday night, despite losing rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama to a left rib contusion in the first half. Stephon Castle recorded a triple-double for the Spurs, who are battling for playoff positioning in the Western Conference. The 76ers, led by Joel Embiid's 34 points, are trying to avoid the play-in tournament in the East.

Why it matters

Wembanyama's injury is a major concern for the Spurs, who are hoping the 22-year-old phenom can lead them to a deep playoff run. The 76ers, meanwhile, are in a tight race for a top-six seed in the East, which would allow them to avoid the play-in tournament.

The details

Wembanyama was injured in the second quarter when he was struck in the side by a deflected pass from 76ers star Paul George. Wembanyama played five more minutes before asking to be taken out of the game. His status for the remainder of the regular season is unknown. The Spurs were led by Stephon Castle's triple-double, while the 76ers got a big game from Joel Embiid.

  • The incident occurred at the 1:11 mark of the second quarter.
  • Wembanyama played a total of 15:40 before exiting the game.
  • The Spurs improved to 60-19 on the season, while the 76ers fell to 43-36.

The players

Victor Wembanyama

The 22-year-old French phenom is in his rookie season with the San Antonio Spurs and is considered a top candidate for the NBA's Rookie of the Year and MVP awards.

Stephon Castle

The Spurs' starting point guard recorded a triple-double with 17 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds in the win.

Joel Embiid

The 76ers' star center had 34 points and 12 rebounds in the losing effort.

Paul George

The 76ers' veteran forward scored 16 points and was involved in the incident that led to Wembanyama's injury.

Mitch Johnson

The Spurs' head coach made the decision to remove Wembanyama from the game after he reported discomfort from the rib contusion.

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What they’re saying

“We're hopeful Victor's injury isn't too serious, but we'll have to wait and see. He's a big part of what we're trying to build here.”

— Mitch Johnson, Spurs Head Coach

“It's tough to lose a player like Victor, but we have to keep fighting. This is a big game for us in the playoff race.”

— Stephon Castle, Spurs Point Guard

What’s next

The Spurs will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, while the 76ers will travel to face the Houston Rockets on Thursday. Wembanyama's status for the remainder of the regular season will be a major storyline to follow.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the importance of Victor Wembanyama to the Spurs' success, as well as the tight playoff race in both conferences. The 76ers' loss keeps them in a precarious position in the East, while the Spurs remain in the hunt for a top seed in the West despite the injury concern surrounding their prized rookie.