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Michael C. Wright, ESPN Staff Writer
The San Antonio Spurs ruled out star Victor Wembanyama for Thursday’s game at Frost Bank Center against the Chicago Bulls due to bilateral low back soreness.
Wembanyama, 20, appeared to have been injured with 2:23 remaining in Tuesday’s 104-93 loss at Phoenix, on a play that saw him get a whistle for a charge after a collision with Bradley Beal. He remained in the game until subbing out with 6 seconds left.
Walking off the court after the loss, Wembanyama appeared to be in discomfort.
But interim coach Mitch Johnson said he was not certain of the extent of Wembanyama’s injury.
San Antonio’s leading scorer, Wembanyama is averaging 23.5 points with 10.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists and a league-high 3.4 blocks and was named on Tuesday the Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month.
Wembanyama sat out of three games in November due to a bruised right knee.
It’s likely the Spurs will start Zach Collins in Wembayama’s place, in addition to increasing the workload of reserve center Charles Bassey.
In other injury news, backup point guard Tre Jones will miss his second game after suffering a sprained left shoulder Sunday in a win at Sacramento.