Victor Wembanyama sidelined after rolling ankle on ball boy's foot / News - Basketnews.com

Victor Wembanyama misses Saturday's game against the Dallas Mavericks due to a rolled ankle in warmups. Coach Gregg Popovich's reaction: "You see it on the film, and you can't believe it."

Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con Credit USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

San Antonio Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama missed Saturday's game against the Dallas Mavericks after an unfortunate incident during pregame warmups.

Player of the Game EFF 43 Luka Doncic Points 39 Accuracy 13-27 Rebounds 12 Assists 10

The rookie sensation rolled his ankle when he stumbled and stepped on a ball boy's foot while participating in a layup drill, captured on video.

As a precaution, Wembanyama went to the locker room to have his ankle taped and was subsequently ruled out for the game.

"If it was a playoff game, I probably would've played him," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said after the 144-119 loss. "He's not happy about it, but I would rather err on the conservative side since it's the same ankle that you just got a time limitation on. But just a freak, freak accident before the game."

This setback followed Wembanyama sitting out Tuesday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks due to soreness in the same right ankle. Despite playing 22 minutes in Thursday's loss to the Chicago Bulls, the plan was to keep him on a minutes restriction.

Popovich, with nearly three decades as the head coach, noted that he had never witnessed a player getting injured in such a peculiar manner.

"You see it on the film, and you can't believe it," Popovich said.

The 19-year-old rookie, drafted as the No. 1 overall pick, has been a standout performer for the struggling 4-24 Spurs. He averages 18.5 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks, missing three games this season.

Mavericks-Spurs highlights:

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