Spurs' Kornet Jokes About Losing Starting Spot to Wembanyama

Veteran center embraces role change as young star returns from injury

Mar. 18, 2026 at 12:24am

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San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet joked about "losing" his starting spot to teammate Victor Wembanyama, who was brought back slowly from injury earlier this season. Kornet stepped up in Wembanyama's absence, helping the Spurs stay competitive in the Western Conference with a 10-5 record in the 15 games the young star missed.

Why it matters

Wembanyama is considered one of the NBA's rising young stars, so Kornet's willingness to embrace a reduced role shows the veteran's team-first mentality. The Spurs' ability to stay afloat without their franchise player also demonstrates the depth and balance of their roster.

The details

Wembanyama returned this season after missing significant time last year due to deep vein thrombosis. When he came back, the Spurs coaching staff brought him off the bench initially to manage his minutes after a calf strain. That allowed Kornet, a consistent presence for the team all year, to continue starting and playing a key role.

  • Wembanyama missed 15 games earlier this season due to a calf strain.
  • Wembanyama returned in time for the In-Season tournament and Christmas Day games.

The players

Luke Kornet

A veteran center for the San Antonio Spurs who stepped up in Victor Wembanyama's absence, helping the team stay competitive in the Western Conference.

Victor Wembanyama

A rising young star for the San Antonio Spurs who missed significant time earlier this season due to a calf strain, but has since returned to the lineup.

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What they’re saying

“'Vic was out for a little bit and then he was coming back on a minutes restriction and was coming off the bench. And we were performing pretty well. And no one really asked me how I might feel about it. I don't if you're familiar with Wally Pipp. It was also funny because there was All-Star stuff going on and it was like I'm the starter on the team. I've seen a lot of votes going the other way.'”

— Luke Kornet, Spurs Center (White Noise Podcast)

What’s next

Wembanyama is expected to return to the starting lineup in the coming weeks as the Spurs manage his minutes and continue their push for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The takeaway

Kornet's willingness to embrace a reduced role for the good of the team shows the veteran leadership and unselfishness that has helped the Spurs remain competitive despite Wembanyama's injury issues earlier in the season.