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SAN ANTONIO — A year ago, Victor Wembanyama had a breakthrough game against the Knicks.
Forty points and 20 rebounds.
Three months ago, he captivated MSG on Christmas.
Forty-two points and 18 rebounds.
At All-Star weekend last month, he was dubbed the front-runner for the next face of the NBA.
On Wednesday night at the Frost Bank Center versus the Knicks again?
An 11th consecutive DNP and a hazy future.
Wembanyama remains out indefinitely with a blood clot in his right shoulder, an issue that ended his season, snatched away his chances for Defensive Player of the Year and left questions about his ability to carry the league, as seemed preordained just a few weeks ago.
“He’s one of a kind — a generational talent and a remarkable person,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said.
The good news is the Spurs are expressing optimism that the center will be back soon.
As acting head coach Mitch Johnson said, “There is no reason to believe he won’t be ready to go starting next season.”
But blood clots are scary and availability was always the top concern for a 7-foot-4 center.
For the Knicks, Wembanyama’s absence meant they faced a depleted and tanking franchise on Wednesday night. Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox and Gregg Popovich are all done for the season.
The Spurs had dropped 10 of 14 before playing New York.
If they somehow luck into Cooper Flagg, the draft lottery should just be renamed, “You’re Welcome, Spurs.”
For the NBA, Wemby’s health concerns piled on problematic issues of star availability and finding the heir apparent to LeBron James and Steph Curry.
Already, four candidates to carry the torch have missed the 65-game cutoff to be eligible for postseason awards — Luka Doncic, Ja Morant, Zion Williamson and Wembanyama.
So who, if anybody, will become the face of the league when LeBron and Curry are no longer around?
Here’s a quick look at seven candidates.
The only criteria is the player has to be 27 years old or younger (Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Brunson don’t qualify):
Victor Wembanyama
Has the right mentality, the right polished persona and offers uniqueness.
But at 21 years old, he’ll have missed roughly 30 percent of his games in the first two seasons.
Luka Doncic
He’s in the right market and might be the most skilled offensive player since Larry Bird.
But Doncic doesn’t seem interested in marketing himself and his incessant complaining to the referees is a turnoff.
Shai-Gilgeous Alexander
Might be the front-runner on this list just like he’s the front-runner for MVP this season.
Ultrasmooth player with exceptional handle and shotmaking ability, the only drawbacks for his marketability are that he’s not American (SGA is Canadian) and he plays in a minuscule market.
Anthony Edwards
Has the right outgoing personality for the role — although he’s hardly polished and sometimes that gets Edwards in trouble — and he’s nearly always available.
He just needs to win more.
Edwards has yet to crack the top 5 in MVP voting, and it won’t happen this year.
Jayson Tatum
Should have secured a spot at the top already — he’s American, plays in a big market and won a championship. For some reason, however, Tatum doesn’t connect with fans outside of Boston.
It could be that he’s too bland, both in playing style and personality.
Zion Williamson
The most powerful player among the F.O.L candidates, but Williamson’s problem is obvious — he’s always injured.
He’s cut weight recently, but I think it’ll take a trade out of New Orleans for Williamson to reach his potential.
Ja Morant
Another athletic freak and is popular among young fans.
But Morant sabotaged last season by flashing guns and is a persistent DNP.
