Wembanyama's MRI shows no ligament damage in hyperextended knee; All-Star to miss Spurs-Pacers game

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The San Antonio Spurs say an MRI showed center Victor Wembanyama sustained no ligament damage in his injured left knee, and their All-Star center will not play Friday in Indiana.

The Spurs said Thursday that Wembanyama’s status is day-to-day. He did not travel with the team to face the NBA-worst Pacers (6-28), and instead will rehabilitate the injury in San Antonio.

Wembanyama hyperextended his left knee with just under 11 minutes remaining in San Antonio's 134-132 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday.

Wembanyama said he felt fine after the game and expected to play Friday against the Pacers, but said San Antonio's medical staff could decide otherwise depending on tests.

“It’s a good thing it was just a hyperextension,” Wembanyama said. “It should be minimal, whatever this thing is.”

Wembanyama was injured while leaping to gather an offensive rebound over Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns with 10:32 left in the rematch of the NBA Cup final. Wembanyama lost possession when he landed. Replays showed there was no contact with a defender, but Wembanyama’s left foot slid forward.

Wembanyama remained on the court while New York went on offense. Spurs forward Kelly Olynyk intentionally committed a foul so the Spurs could check on Wembanyama. Spurs guards Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox helped Wembanyama get up before he hobbled straight to the locker room unassisted.

Wembanyama was heard yelling “I’ll be back!” several times to the fans as he ran through the tunnel toward the locker room while emphatically throwing his hands down.

Wembanyama returned to San Antonio's bench with 1:22 remaining in the game without a limp and watched as the Spurs rallied to beat the Knicks.

Wembanyama is averaging 24.3 points and 11.7 rebounds for the Southwest Division-leading Spurs (24-9).

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) guards New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) celebrates a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

NEW YORK (AP) — Dylan Guenther had his first career hat trick and added an assist and the Utah Mammoth topped the New York Islanders 7-2 on Thursday.

Nick Schmaltz scored twice and added an assist, Clayton Keller and Mikhail Sergachev each had a goal and two assists, while Lawson Crouse and Barrett Hayton each had two assists. Karel Vejmelka returned from a two-game absence and finished with 20 saves as the Mammoth snapped a two-game skid.

Cal Ritchie and Matthew Schaefer scored for New York, and Max Shabanov had two assists. David Rittich made nine saves on 14 shots, but was replaced by Marcus Hogberg 5:41 into the third period.

Guenther scored his second goal of the game when he buried a backhand feed from Crouse to give Utah a 2-1 lead midway through the second period. He also opened the scoring just 36 seconds into the middle period.

The Islanders briefly tied it 1-1 early in the second period when Ritchie fired a wrist shot over the glove of Vejmelka.

Schmaltz beat Rittich with less than four minutes remaining in the second period to extend Utah’s lead to two goals.

Mammoth forward Alex Kerfoot took a four-minute high-sticking penalty late in the second, but the Islanders didn't capitalize on the ensuing power play.

Sergachev and Keller scored in the first six minutes of the third period to stretch Utah’s lead to 5-1 and prompt the Islanders to change goaltenders.

Guenther completed the hat trick and scored his 20th goal of the season by sliding the puck between the legs of Hogberg with less than seven minutes remaining.

Schaefer scored a power-play goal midway through the third period for his 10th of the season.

Mammoth: visit the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.

Islanders: host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse congratulates right wing Dylan Guenther (11) after scoring his third goal of the game in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Utah Mammoth right wing Dylan Guenther (11) controls the puck past New York Islanders center Kyle MacLean in the third period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)