Popovich: Victor Wembanyama Spurs Restrictions Won't Be Lifted vs. Joel Embiid, 76ers

San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama might soon be able to play more than 30 minutes per game.

That change won't be taking place Monday against the Joel Embiid and the 28-13 Philadelphia 76ers, however.

"Not by next game, but perhaps after that," Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said when asked about lifting Wembanyama's minutes restriction Sunday, per the San Antonio Express-News' Tom Orsborn.

The rookie has averaged just 24.7 minutes per game since suffering a sprained ankle Dec. 23 during pregame warmups for a road contest against the Dallas Mavericks.

Wembanyama sat out the Spurs' 124-120 loss to the Charlotte Hornets Friday night as part of ongoing restrictions on his playing time.

The Spurs were set to play the Washington Wizards Saturday, and Popovich said after the loss that Wembanyama has been told not to play back-to-back games while he recovers from injury, per the Express-News' Jeff McDonald.

"It's not rest. It's doctor's orders," Popovich said Friday night. "He's got a minutes restriction and he's not allowed to play back-to-backs. It will probably change very soon, but for now we still have to abide by that restriction."

Wembanyama returned Saturday to record 24 points and eight rebounds in a 131-127 win over the Wizards.

Wembanyama has only played more than 35 minutes in a game twice in his young career, but he still leads the Spurs with 19.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game. That's part of the reason the Spurs, 8-34 overall, have gone 0-6 without their star rookie.

Popovich's comments seem to indicate Wembanyama could see his playing restrictions lifted Wednesday, when the Spurs host the Oklahoma City Thunder, or before next weekend's back-to-back set of home games against the Portland Trail Blazers and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday and Saturday.