Why is Victor Wembanyama not playing tonight vs the Bulls? Latest on Spurs superstar's status (Dec. 4)   

The San Antonio Spurs will be without their superstar Victor Wembanyama when they host the Chicago Bulls at the Frost Bank Center on Thursday. The Frenchman suffered a back injury during the team's 104-93 loss to the Phoenix Suns. He is in the team's updated injury report listed with bilateral back soreness and is ruled out of the matchup.

This will be the fourth game the center will miss for San Antonio. Despite his absence, the Spurs have managed to win two of their three games this season — one of it in their clinical win against the OKC Thunder. They face the Sacramento Kings soon after in the second night of their back-to-back for which Victor Wembanyama's status remains unclear.

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Victor Wembanyama named NBA's Defensive Player of the Month

Earlier, Victor Wembanyama was named the league's Defensive Player of the Month for his scintillating efforts on the defensive end. The phenom, in his sophomore year, has been leading the league in blocks (3.6 per game). On the whole, he averages 24.0 points and 10.2 rebounds per contest.

Speaking about their star, Mitch Johnson, the interim coach of the Spurs in the absence of Gregg Popovich said:

"I thought he had some very poor moments in the first three quarters in terms of fundamentals and solid basketball. And it’s a testament to him, and his ability to lock in (that he figured it out). I thought in the fourth quarter, (that) he was a man. And I thought he dominated. He’s so good, but the dominating (of) the fundamentals for him — the catches, the passes, the solid stuff — (is key). It’s still spectacular, but when he does that, he’s a load."

Wembanyama himself has been vocal about honing his skills as a facilitator. With teams looking to double-team the big, his playmaking and assist skills will add to his versatility. The Spurs will be keen to have their key cog back in the lineup as they look to separate the 11-10 record with a few more wins to their tally starting against the Bulls.