Victor Wembanyama left early vs the Knicks with knee injury

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama left Wednesday night’s rematch with the New York Knicks in the fourth quarter after hyperextending his left knee, but returned to the bench in time to see the Spurs win, 134-132.

He said after the game he feels fine and does not expect to miss any time.

“It’s a good thing it was just a hyperextension,” Wembanyama said. “It should be minimal, whatever this thing is.”

Wembanyama took to the court after the game to gleefully lead the newest Spurs tradition that he created — having the crowd clap their hands after each bang of the drum by the 7-foot-4 center, who finished with 31 points and 13 rebounds in 24 minutes.

In the win, he made his 300th career 3-pointer, becoming the fastest to do so among 7-footers and accomplishing the feat in 138 games. That beat the previous mark of 141 games by the Utah Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen.

“I was confident,” Wembanyama said. “I wasn’t bad. I was this close to coming back into the game. They have to hold me back.”

Wembanyama went to the locker room with just under 11 minutes remaining, but returned to the Spurs bench with 1:22 left in the game. He was alone and walking without a limp when he returned.

“I’m feeling good, just sore,” Wembanyama said. “Very confident (he is healthy).”

It was a welcome sight for the Spurs after some tense minutes.

ESPN’s Michael C. Wright reported that Wembanyama suffered a hyperextension of his knee, and he quoted the center as saying that he felt sore but confident.

Wembanyama is expected to undergo further testing on Thursday.

Wembanyama said that it's a hyperextension, but said he feels a little sore but still "confident." He said they'll do more testing on it tomorrow. Also said that he told the fans "I'll be alright." He just now said, "I expect to be back the next game."

— Michael C. Wright (@mikecwright) January 1, 2026

Additionally, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Wembanyama has undergone tests, and the initial results show no major injury.

Spurs star Victor Wembanyama suffered a slight hyperextension in his left knee in tonight's win over New York — and initial tests came back negative and showed no major injury.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 1, 2026

Wembanyama leaped to gather an offensive rebound over Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns with 10:32 left in the game and lost possession when he landed. Replays showed there was no contact, but Wembanyama’s left foot slid forward and his knee appeared to hyperextend.

Wembanyama remained on the court while New York went on offense. Spurs forward Kelly Olynyk intentionally committed a foul so the Spurs could check on Wembanyama. Spurs guards Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox helped Wembanyama get up before he hobbled straight to the locker room unassisted.

San Antonio trainers, doctors and general manager Brian Wright followed Wembanyama to the locker room.

Wembanyama was heard yelling “I’ll be back” several times to the fans as he ran through the tunnel toward the locker room while emphatically throwing his hands down.

True to his word, Wembanyama quietly walked past the fans back to the bench. Wembanyama said the Spurs checked his knee while he was in the locker room.

Wembanyama said he expects to play Friday at Indiana.

“I expect to play in the next game, I don’t know what they’re expecting,” he said.

The Knicks had previously beaten the Spurs 124-113 on Dec. 16 to win the Emirates NBA Cup.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.