The San Antonio Spurs will meet the New Orleans Pelicans in the second game in a two-game, three-day series in Louisiana, without Victor Wembanyama.
The 21-year-old superstar was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder prior to the Spurs’ quasi-home game against the Phoenix Suns last week, a condition that will sideline him for the rest of the season, though San Antonio remains optimistic about his ability to recover fully by next season.
“He’s going to attack recovery the best he can,” Chris Paul stated.
Meanwhile, the Spurs will try to improve their rebounding on both ends, as a lack of rebounding was a major factor for the fourth-quarter collapse that resulted in a blowout loss to the Pelicans on Sunday.
“I think the rebounding is obviously a little bit disproportionate,” Spurs acting coach Mitch Johnson conceded, “just because of how many shots we missed.”
Bismack Biyombo has filled in as San Antonio’s primary big man in the absence of Wembanyama and Charles Bassey, and this will continue with Bassey’s absence on Tuesday night. Until Bassey returns, size will undoubtedly be at the top of the list of issues to solve night after night.
The Spurs merely hope to find a way forward.
Tuesday’s tip-off from the Smoothie King Center is at 8 p.m. EST.
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