Spurs' Gregg Popovich: Victor Wembanyama 'Frustrated' by Minutes Limit Amid Injury

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich told reporters on Thursday that standout rookie Victor Wembanyama has been "frustrated" with his minutes restriction due to an ankle injury.

"Definitely he is frustrated with the minutes' restriction, but he's also intelligent enough to understand long-term is what we are interested in," Popovich said.

Wembanyama checked himself into the Spurs' 106-98 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday during the second half, recording just 26 minutes in the defeat. He was eventually taken back out for the remainder of the game.

"He didn't like it, but he understood. I am glad he didn't like it," Popovich added, per Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express-News.

Wembanyama's minutes restriction is expected to remain in place until his ankle is completely healed.

The Spurs' medical staff will re-examine his ankle "within the next week or two," according to the three-time NBA Coach of the Year.

The 20-year-old sustained the injury prior to San Antonio's matchup with the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 23, stepping on the foot of a ball boy after taking a layup while warming up. His minutes have been reduced ever since, with Popovich telling reporters on Dec. 29 that he won't be playing in back-to-back games for "a couple of weeks" until he's healthy (via ESPN's Andrew Lopez).

After averaging 30.2 minutes in 25 appearances before the ankle issue, Wembanyama is recording just 24.6 minutes each night in four games since. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft has still matched the lofty expectations that were placed upon him prior to his NBA career, though.

Wembanyama is averaging 18.9 points and 10.2 rebounds to go along with a league-leading 3.1 blocks per game. While his shooting has been inconsistent, the 7'4" phenom is still drilling 1.4 triples each night. He's also posting a respectable 78.4 percent mark on free throws, signaling that an uptick in his current 29.4 three-point percentage could be coming.

Wembanyama will look to make an impact during the Spurs' next game, a marquee matchup with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. ET.