Wembanyama's MRI Came Back Clean. He Needs One More Game for MVP Eligibility.

Victor Wembanyama left Monday's game against the 76ers after colliding with Paul George in the second quarter. For a moment, it felt like the Spurs' dream season might end on a stretcher. But the MRI came back clean — no fracture, no cartilage damage, just a severe rib bruise.

The bigger issue is the calendar. Wembanyama has played 64 games this season, one short of the NBA's 65-game minimum required for end-of-season awards. He needs to log at least 20 minutes in one of San Antonio's final three regular-season games to remain eligible for MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, All-NBA, and All-Defensive honors. An orthopedic specialist cautioned he could miss up to two weeks, but the Spurs reportedly have "confidence" he'll play in at least one game.

The 65-game rule, implemented in 2023 to encourage star availability, now threatens to disqualify one of the most dominant two-way seasons in modern history. Wembanyama is averaging 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, and 3.5 assists — numbers that put him squarely in the MVP conversation alongside Jokic and SGA. San Antonio is making its first playoff appearance since 2019, and keeping Wemby eligible is now the priority.