Rising basketball star Wembanyama, commonly referred to as 'Wemby', will not participate in tonight's game after stepping on a Mavericks employee's foot during pregame warmups. Initially, his minutes were to be restricted, but he was later ruled inactive for precautionary reasons. Coach Popovich, visibly shaken by the incident, remarked that he has never seen a player get injured in such a manner during warmups. He also noted that Wemby had recently injured the same right ankle, influencing the decision to sit him out. Despite Wemby's desire to play, Popovich chose to err on the side of caution, admitting that he would have allowed him to play in a playoff game. Wemby is not happy about missing the game.
Pop seemed shook by Wemby's freak injury. Asked if he's ever had a player get hurt in that fashion in warmups, Pop said, "No, you see it on film you can’t believe it."
Pop said Wemby probably could have played but he decided to "err on the side of caution" considering the rookie injured that same right ankle recently: "If it was a playoff game, I probably would have played him. He’s not happy about it..."
Wemby out for the game after stepping on Mavs employee during warmups 🚨 https://t.co/fupZJCHTVP
I feel bad I was right here and couldn’t save y’all from Wembanyama. He tripped on a ball boy and it looked like nothing. To the point that I didn’t even troll post about it. Can’t believe he actually got hurt from that
Wembanyama stepped on a ball boy’s foot during pregame warmups. https://t.co/lfq583x5RH
Well, now it doesn't matter. Wemby is out after he stepped on a ballboy's foot in shootaround. https://t.co/dRJlaSWDKl
Wembanyama won't be active tonight after stepping on a ball boy's foot in warmups. I was told he wanted to play but that Pop wants him to sit for precautionary reasons.
Pop said Wemby’s minutes will remain restricted tonight.