Smart Moves: How the Spurs Plan to Use Victor Wembanyama in the NBA Cup Final

The San Antonio Spurs have a big decision to make about Victor Wembanyama for the NBA Cup final against the New York Knicks. Coach Mitch Johnson is thinking about using Wembanyama as a bench player again, just like he did in the semifinal win over Oklahoma City. Wembanyama is a key player, but he's been dealing with a calf injury. He missed 12 games because of it. In the semifinal, he played 21 minutes and scored 22 points. Most of his points came in the fourth quarter when the game was on the line. The Spurs are being careful with Wembanyama's minutes. They don't want to rush him back too soon. They also don't want to risk his health for the long term. Devin Vassell, a teammate, said they trust Coach Johnson's plan.The coach has a tough job. He needs to balance Wembanyama's desire to play more with what's best for the team. He also has to think about how Wembanyama's minutes affect the rest of the players. Wembanyama is still in the running for major individual awards. The NBA Cup final won't count in the standings, but it does count towards the 65-game rule for awards. So, every minute he plays matters. The Spurs are learning as they go. They don't want to make any mistakes with Wembanyama's health. They're being mindful and careful with his minutes. They want to make sure he's ready for the long season ahead.