Are Spurs Messing Up With Victor Wembanyama? Doctor Reacts

Victor Wembanyama is not allowed to play in back to back games and will need an updated MRI after a couple of ankle sprain injuries. I don't understand what they are doing and it could be setting a dangerous precedent for the young star.

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I'm a doctor and a sports fan and this channel is dedicated to exploring the unique medical side of the world of sports, including NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC, and many more! Breaking down the biggest what ifs, historical injuries and stories, and making learning about medicine fun and relevant for all sports fans!

DISCLAIMER: Content not intended to be taken as medical advice. Opinions are my own and do not represent those of my employer. I have not personally treated or evaluated the individual(s) discussed in this video. Content used with educational and transformative intent within Fair Use Guidelines
Content owned and produced by Brian Sutterer LLC 2022

[michaelhall]

The spurs imo are very clearly trying to very slowly get Wemby used to playing in the NBA. They don't care about this season at all. I think they're looking to slowly prepare his body by adding size and making sure his ligaments and joints progressively get stronger until he's ready to lose all restrictions

[felixbenkenstein]

I think the main issue is that everyone is in uncharted territory with such an athletic 7'4 player.
But two things: The Spurs hired his french trainer who has work with him the season before so they have addiditional knowledge.
And the Spurs medical staff has an excellent record.

[chrisbishop]

At 8:47 we see the perfect image- Wembanyama with Porzingis' face right in front. Porzingis was very similar to Victor, a physical freak with crazy skills. But Porzingis has struggled with constant injury and has missed entire seasons and has played more than 60 games only 3 times in his career. I don't blame the Spurs for being cautious, but I know caution can be frustrating to both players and fans.

[ramonpunsalang]

Wemby is in total agreement with Pop's decision saying his long term health is paramount.

[TheCriminalViolin]

As someone experienced with hypermobile joints, including in the ankles (if not especially), I've found often once you roll your ankle like that that much, that it gets loose (technically MORE loose), as it's been heavily stretched out. The looser it gets, the more it will begin to roll on its own when it normally wouldn't. And if you notice this, best advice is to stop playing hard for awhile. I wound up tearing my ATFL playing a game in a non-contact fashion as my foot didn't snap back after having jumped directly into the air for a rebound. I believe a part of why and how that happened is from not giving it a rest after having rolled it multiple times. Again, when it's somewhat normal to roll ankles from hypermobility, it often has zero pain.

[paulquirk]

Doctor (or anyone), why can't someone devise a light brace that strictly prevents turning the ankle beyond the functional limit, without impeding normal movement?

[juanpanna]

they don't pass to him. they are not working with him as a team. it sucks

[rdymr]

The biggest answer to Doc'Brian's concerns is nobody knows what to anticipate or handle a specimen like Victor. Team docs and coaching are weighing HEAVILY on the side of caution. We can't fix that, but I am curious to see how his young body holds up after playing so much basketball in 2023 going into the summer Olympics in '24 and then the 24-25 NBA season.

[marcomcdowell]

No one wears hightops and wraps anymore. Some guys used to wear ankle braces. Now dudes hoop in loafers 🤣 So many players miss time because of ankle sprains now.

[ThaRainMan]

They just tanking. Playing him gives them a chance to win. Passing him the ball gives them a chance to win. They don't want to win. They want to get another high draft pick.

[Dre]

This is definitely a result of Kawhi's injury. Spurs are being overly cautious

[Kks-]

I think he injured it more in practice cause he didnt have a minute restriction till like 3-4 games later, as for the Mavs injury he could’ve played but didnt on the side of caution

[dunmatta]

Happy New Year Doctor Sutterer! This is going to be a tricky situation. I don't see the Spurs being competitive these next 2 seasons so you can totally see them being more paranoid in protecting Wemby. But they gotta let him loose so his body can adjust to the NBA.

[ThatJustMatt]

Spurs have always been super careful with all their stars in terms of any aggravated injuries. No matter how small. This is par for the course. They think if they can manage the little nagging injuries, then their players can have long careers.
In this case, especially because of Victor's body type, they are extra safe.

[rangargorgen]

It's almost the end of the season and Doc was spot on about having "high laxity" in his ankles. He keep twisting his ankles into horrible positions, but then he just stand up and keep playing like nothing happened.
Wemby is truly an alien 👽

[itsureishotout-itshotterin]

Excellent Youcast, again, Dr Sutterer.

[bernardasiedubuabeng]

Doctor so in school i was asked to kneel down so idk when i got up the area under the patela was swollen and it is causing problems like runnign 😭and walking and i also dont feel comfortable standing for long periods of time what the doctor recommended that i wear a knee brace but i stiil feel the pain and the swollen part hasnt gone down and it has been 4 years since it happened what do think i should do ? btw i have seen 3 doctors they all recommended i wear abrace but it dosent seem to be doing anything.

[mediamannaman]

Thanks for shining some light about what is typical in this situation from a sports medicine perspective.

[InvisibleHole]

As a future AT I spent most of my hours observing in college basketball and Brians pretty much spot on with how it should be handled. The whole perspective of treating the patient not the condition is how athletes need to be treated especially high school/college athletes where their lives arent dictated by the sport they play

[stevenkidd]

Would actual high tops help prevent this, or lesson its severity? Im thinking like 70s Converse height.