The San Antonio Spurs will face the Indiana Pacers on January 2 without their two key scorers. Rookie star Victor Wembanyama and guard Devin Vassell have both been ruled out. This is a tough blow for a young Spurs team, and it changes the feel of a game many fans had circled on the calendar.

The Pacers have injuries too. Tyrese Haliburton is out with an Achilles issue, and both Isaiah Jackson and Obi Toppin are also sidelined. T.J. McConnell is listed as probable and has played through a hamstring issue in the last two games. So, both teams must adjust fast.

Victor Wembanyama injury update: MRI clean, day-to-day

Wembanyama hurt his left knee against the Knicks on New Year’s Eve. He landed awkwardly while jumping for a rebound with 10:32 left in the fourth quarter. He came back to the bench, but the Spurs held him out for the rest of the night.

There is good news. An MRI showed no ligament damage. He is day-to-day and did not travel to Indianapolis so he can get more care in San Antonio. As ESPN’s Michael C. Wright reported: “Victor Wembanyama’s MRI today came back clean, no ligament damage. He didn’t make the trip to Indianapolis so he can get more care here in San Antonio. He’ll likely be listed as questionable for Saturday against Portland, per source.”

Wembanyama himself said he felt mostly sore and wanted to return: “Feeling good, just sore. I was ‘this’ close to coming back in the game. They had to hold me back.” The Spurs already saw him miss about a month earlier this season with a calf strain (Nov. 14–Dec. 13). With their franchise player, they are taking the long view.

“If Wemby is day-to-day, sit him now and win later. No need to rush the kid.”

Devin Vassell out: What it means for the Spurs offense

Vassell, who missed the Knicks game as well, remains out with a left adductor strain. He is one of San Antonio’s key shooters and a strong spacer. For the season, he averages 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists on 42.2% shooting and 37.9% from deep. When Vassell sits, the floor shrinks, and the Spurs must find threes and drives from other wings.

San Antonio will likely lean on ball movement and more touches for their forwards and guards. Simple, quick actions matter here: drive-and-kick, screens, and cutting. The Spurs need clean looks early in the clock to avoid long droughts without their top two scoring threats.

Spurs vs. Pacers injury report for January 2

• Spurs out: Victor Wembanyama (left knee soreness/hyperextension), Devin Vassell (left adductor strain), G League players Ingram, Jones-Garcia, Umude.
• Did not travel: Wembanyama.
• Pacers out: Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles), Isaiah Jackson (concussion), Obi Toppin (foot).
• Pacers probable: T.J. McConnell (hamstring); he has played the last two games.

Jackson has missed the last five games since his concussion on Dec. 22 against the Celtics. McConnell has battled a hamstring issue but still logged minutes in the last two games, giving Indiana steady playmaking off the bench.

“No Haliburton, no Wemby — this turns into a coaching and bench game. Who executes better?”

Wembanyama’s impact by the numbers

Wembanyama’s season tells a clear story. In 21 games, he’s averaging 24.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.9 blocks, while shooting 52.5% from the field and 36.5% from three. He stretches the floor on offense and protects the rim on defense. Few rookies change the geometry of a game like he does.

Against the Knicks, he was rolling before the fall. He posted 31 points and 13 rebounds in just 24 minutes. The Spurs won 134-132, and his energy was a big reason. When he sits, San Antonio loses easy lobs, quick blocks, and a lot of attention he draws from defenders.

This is also about the rhythm of an entire team. With Wemby, the Spurs run more through the high post and the pick-and-roll, and they trust his length to erase mistakes on the back line. Without him, the margin for error shrinks fast.

Pacers’ picture without Haliburton, and McConnell’s role

Indiana’s offense relies on pace and spacing. Without Haliburton, they lose their lead playmaker and one of the best passers in the league. That often means more touches for their guards and wings, and a bigger role for T.J. McConnell to steady the second unit.

With Jackson (concussion) and Toppin (foot) also out, the Pacers’ frontcourt depth is thinner. Rebounding and rim protection become stress points. That could invite San Antonio to attack the paint more, even without Wemby, as long as the Spurs keep the ball moving and cut with purpose.

“No star guards tonight? Then it’s about defense, boards, and who stays calm late.”

Who steps up for San Antonio?

Without their two main scorers, the Spurs need a team-first approach. Expect more touches for their wings and bigs, with guards driving to kick out to shooters. The goal is simple shots: corner threes, layups, and free throws.

San Antonio’s defense must also tighten up. They will miss Wembanyama’s shot-blocking and long arms at the rim. So, they must keep the ball in front, show strong help, and finish plays with rebounds.

The bigger picture and what’s next

The short-term headline: Wembanyama and Vassell are out tonight. The long-term view: Wemby’s knee checked out clean, which is the best news the Spurs could hope for. He is day-to-day and, per reporting, could be listed as questionable for Saturday against the Trail Blazers. That points to a careful, smart plan.

From here, the Spurs want to avoid setbacks and keep building good habits. That means playing fast when it’s there, sharing the ball, and defending with force. For Indiana, it’s about finding playmaking without Haliburton and getting enough stops to run.

These are the kinds of games that teach young teams how to win without their stars. It’s not flashy, but it matters in March and April. Tonight, it’s about execution, not highlights.

Whatever the final score, the main takeaway is that Wembanyama’s knee is okay and the Spurs are protecting their future. That’s the right call.