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“Very much so,” Johnson said. “He had a really good day today.
He had a very intense day this morning, and we'll have to see
how he responds or reacts (Thursday).”
Johnson said Wembanyama went through a vigorous workout at the
Spurs' morning shootaround in Los Angeles. The 7-foot-4
Frenchman worked out on the court again during pregame warmups
at the Lakers' downtown arena with no extra protection on his
strained left calf, which has kept him out for 12 straight games
since Nov. 14.
Wembanyama averaged 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and
3.6 blocks in 12 games before getting shut down by injury. He
has eased his way back into on-court activity, also doing
pregame work before the Spurs' win at New Orleans on Monday.
That extra work might be over soon, and just in time for San
Antonio's hopes of Cup contention: The Spurs face the defending
NBA champion Thunder on Saturday night in Las Vegas. The winner
is in the Cup title game on Tuesday.
The Spurs are an impressive 9-3 without Wembanyama, looking very
much like a burgeoning powerhouse with a talent-rich roster
following six consecutive non-playoff seasons.
“I think Victor would tell you we have a deep team, and we rely
upon playing together as a team,” Johnson said. “He may be the
biggest puzzle piece, but he needs everybody else to complete
the puzzle.”
Stephon Castle, last season's Rookie of the Year, had 30 points
and 10 rebounds in Los Angeles while leading the Spurs to a
solid win over Luka Doncic and the Lakers.
Eight Spurs scored at least eight points, with De'Aaron Fox
getting 20. Keldon Johnson added 17, while Harrison Barnes and
Julian Champagnie had 16 apiece as San Antonio stayed
comfortably ahead.
“I felt like we came together and clamped down when we needed it
most,” Castle said. “Just knowing the stakes of the game ... I
feel like we did the little things more tonight than any other
game.”
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