Victor Wembanyama has not suited up since November 14, recovering from a left calf strain that the Spurs initially labeled a multi week setback.

San Antonio officially ruled him out of the NBA Cup quarterfinal against the Lakers, confirming his 12th consecutive missed game and extending an absence that has stretched close to a month.​

Throughout the layoff, the organization has prioritized long term health over short term drama, even with a showcase tournament on the line. Team officials have repeatedly framed his status as a day to day progression within a broader two to three week reevaluation window, resisting any rush to get their franchise cornerstone back on the floor before the calf is fully stable.​

Signs point to a looming comeback

Recent updates suggest Wembanyama is trending in the right direction and inching toward game readiness. Reports indicate he has been traveling with the team, going through on court work and participating in pregame workouts, including before a tight road win in New Orleans where he was active on the floor but ultimately held out.

That pattern usually signals a player entering the final stages of a return to play ramp up, shifting from rehab to conditioning and contact preparation.​

External projections have circled early December home dates as realistic targets for his comeback, provided there are no setbacks with the calf.

While the Spurs have not announced an exact game for his return, the possibility of him being cleared in time for a marquee matchup with the Lakers sits firmly on the radar, given how quickly his workload has increased in recent days.​

Stakes for Spurs, awards and the NBA Cup

The longer he sits, the more the awards race becomes a subplot. Under the league’s new availability rules, players can only miss 17 games and still qualify for major regular season honors, and Wembanyama’s absence for the Lakers Cup clash will mark his 12th missed contest.

A prolonged delay would put pressure on his candidacy for individual recognition even as his statistical output remains elite at 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game.