Victor Wembanyama’s on-court prowess always makes waves, but this time it’s for an altogether peculiar reason. It is no longer just about highlights or stat lines. It is about how much is too much for a player the Spurs plan to build around for the next decade.
That issue caught attention on Monday, when a former NBA star pointed out a red flag about Wembanyama’s workload. The warning did not focus on performance. It focused on health and history, and it struck a nerve in San Antonio.
Chandler Parsons’ View on Victor Wembanyama’s Injury Management
Out of nowhere, things blew up when ex-NBA player Chandler Parsons appeared on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back. He made it clear that San Antonio should plan years ahead with Wembanyama, considering his height and past injuries. While most saw just a rising star, Parsons focused on what comes next.
He pointed to how easily minor issues can turn into lasting problems when teams rush elite big men back or ignore warning signs.
“You have to be smart with a guy like this,” Parsons said on “Run It Back“.
Chandler Parsons says the Spurs have to be careful with Wemby injuries to avoid him going down the Zion and Joel Embiid route 👀
(Via @RunItBackFDTV) pic.twitter.com/BWFet5kd8F
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) December 29, 2025
Further added, “We’ve seen what happens when teams push big men too hard too early. You don’t want him going down that same road.”
Standing tall at 7-foot-4, Wembanyama has a physique that requires extra caution. Parsons pointed out that Zion Williamson and Joel Embiid both faced constant injury issues early in their careers. Because of this, he views calf problems not as minor bumps but as warning signs that warrant serious attention. Tall players like him often face unique physical challenges. The way teams respond could shape his career path more than expected.
The timing matters. Wembanyama is averaging 23.9 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, numbers that already place him among the league’s most impactful players. At the same time, every decision about his minutes and role is being dissected across the NBA.
Attention around Wembanyama did not stop with injuries. Following a defeat on the road against the Utah Jazz, Tim Bontemps of ESPN called out the Spurs’ standout player for missing the chance to talk to reporters afterward. Wins usually find Wembanyama facing the press; this time, silence followed the loss instead.
“We love all of Victor’s talking,” Bontemps said. Victor’s great at talking after games all the time. If you’re going to brag after wins, don’t disappear when you lose in Utah.”
That Jazz game marked Wembanyama’s first start since November 14, with no minutes restriction. He scored 26 points, showing his importance even as the Spurs try to manage his workload.
The bigger picture is clear. San Antonio is balancing development, durability, and responsibility with a player who already carries franchise-level expectations.
Parsons’ warning may frustrate fans eager to see Wembanyama unleashed every night. But the message reflects a hard truth teams have learned before. Protecting the future sometimes means slowing down the present.
