Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama day-to-day with lower back soreness

SAN ANTONIO – Spurs star Victor Wembanyama sat out Friday’s 140-113 loss at Sacramento because of bilateral lower back soreness, the team announced.

Wembanyama took the court for pre-match warm-ups before the team made the decision to keep him out for a second straight match.

“I’d say that’s the definition of day-to-day,” Spurs interim coach Mitch Johnson said.

Wembanyama appeared to have suffered an injury Tuesday night in Phoenix when he was whistled for charging on a collision with Bradley Beal. Wembanyama stayed in the game until he was ejected with 6 seconds left and appeared to be in some discomfort as he headed to the locker room after the loss.

“I don’t think (the injury) was on a specific play,” Johnson said. “I’m sure the play didn’t help, but I don’t think it was a specific play.”

Johnson said “it’s the hope” for Wembanyama to return for Sunday’s home game against the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Spurs’ leading scorer, Wembanyama, is averaging a league-leading 23.5 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.4 blocks per game. match. On Tuesday, he was named the Defensive Player of the Month in the NBA Western Conference.

“It’s cool,” Wembanyama said of the award. “I think that means we have the potential to be the (strong) defensive team.”

Wembanyama sat out three games in November with a bruised right knee.

Against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, the Spurs started Jeremy Sochan at center in Wembanyama’s place while increasing minutes for backup centers Charles Bassey and Zach Collins. Collins got the start against the Kings.

San Antonio’s Tre Jones (shoulder) was also out Friday along with Devin Vassell, who is returning from multiple injuries and is currently limited from playing the second night of back-to-backs.