Spurs' Victor Wembanyama Dealing With Rib Contusion

Head coach Mitch Johnson provides update on star center's injury status

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:51am

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A fragmented, multi-angled painting depicting a basketball player in mid-jump shot, broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in the Spurs' official team colors of navy blue, silver, and red, conveying the dynamic movement and energy of the sport.A cubist interpretation of Spurs star Victor Wembanyama's dynamic on-court presence, fractured into geometric forms that capture the energy and intensity of his game.Dallas Today

San Antonio Spurs star center Victor Wembanyama is dealing with a rib contusion after suffering the injury in Monday's win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Head coach Mitch Johnson revealed that Wembanyama is making progress with the injury, but his status for Friday's game against the Dallas Mavericks remains uncertain.

Why it matters

Wembanyama has been a key part of the Spurs' success this season, averaging a double-double and leading the team in several statistical categories. Any extended absence due to the rib injury could impact the Spurs' playoff positioning and chances of making a deep postseason run.

The details

Wembanyama was ruled out of Wednesday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers due to the rib contusion. Johnson stated that Wembanyama is 'improving' but did not provide a definitive timeline for his return. A rib contusion typically takes 3-6 weeks to fully recover, with the first 1-2 weeks being the most painful. The Spurs may choose to rest Wembanyama until the playoffs begin on April 18 to ensure he is fully healthy for the postseason.

  • Wembanyama suffered the rib contusion in the Spurs' 115-102 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, April 8, 2026.
  • Wembanyama was ruled out of the Spurs' game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, April 10, 2026.
  • The Spurs' next game is against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, April 12, 2026.

The players

Victor Wembanyama

The 22-year-old star center for the San Antonio Spurs, who is averaging a double-double this season and is a key part of the team's success.

Mitch Johnson

The head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, who provided an update on Wembanyama's rib contusion injury.

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What they’re saying

“[Wembanyama] is improving. We'll just kind of take it day by day and see how it goes.”

— Mitch Johnson, Head Coach, San Antonio Spurs

What’s next

The Spurs will continue to monitor Wembanyama's progress and determine his status for Friday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. If he is unable to play, the team may choose to rest him until the start of the playoffs to ensure he is fully healthy for the postseason.

The takeaway

Wembanyama's rib contusion is a concern for the Spurs, who have been one of the best teams in the league this season. The team will need to balance Wembanyama's health with their playoff positioning, as they look to make a deep postseason run with their star center leading the way.