Spurs' Wembanyama Exits Game with Rib Injury

Rookie sensation leaves matchup against 76ers in first half

Apr. 7, 2026 at 4:53am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the collision between two basketball players, with their bodies and the court broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape.A cubist interpretation of the collision that sidelined Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama, capturing the chaotic energy of the moment.Philadelphia Today

Victor Wembanyama, the highly touted rookie for the San Antonio Spurs, left Monday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first half due to a left rib contusion. The 7-foot-4 phenom took an inadvertent elbow to the ribs from 76ers star Paul George and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest.

Why it matters

Wembanyama is considered one of the most promising young talents in the NBA and his health is crucial to the Spurs' success this season. Any significant injury could derail the team's plans and disappoint fans eager to see the French prodigy in action.

The details

Wembanyama was driving to the basket when he collided with George, who was attempting to defend the play. The impact caused Wembanyama to grab his left side in pain, and he was quickly evaluated by the Spurs' medical staff before being ruled out for the rest of the game.

  • The incident occurred in the first half of Monday night's game between the Spurs and 76ers.
  • Wembanyama was ruled out for the remainder of the game shortly after the collision.

The players

Victor Wembanyama

A 7-foot-4 rookie sensation for the San Antonio Spurs, considered one of the most promising young talents in the NBA.

Paul George

A star player for the Philadelphia 76ers who was involved in the collision with Wembanyama.

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What they’re saying

“We'll have to see how he's feeling tomorrow and go from there.”

— Gregg Popovich, Head Coach, San Antonio Spurs

What’s next

The Spurs will evaluate Wembanyama's injury and provide an update on his status for future games.

The takeaway

This injury scare serves as a reminder of the fragility of young stars and the importance of their health to their teams' success. The Spurs will need to closely monitor Wembanyama's recovery to ensure he can return to the court as soon as possible.