Southwest Updates: Wemby Debuts, Champagnie’s Rise, Pelicans, Rockets, Davison News
Several roster and performance stories across the Southwest are affecting playoff positioning and player availability. Southwest Updates: Wemby Debuts, Champagnie’s Rise, Pelicans, Rockets, Davison News headlined the week.
Spurs monitor Wembanyama’s ankle
Victor Wembanyama sat out last Thursday’s win at the Clippers with a sore right ankle. Coach Mitch Johnson said the team treated the absence as a precaution on the second night of a back-to-back.
The 22-year-old, a two-time All-Star, has produced strong numbers despite the nagging issue. He has 62 appearances and must play in two of San Antonio’s final four games to meet the 65-game minimum for major postseason award eligibility.
Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reported the NBA Cup final will count toward that 65-game threshold. However, statistics from the Cup final are not officially recorded.
Champagnie’s Rise: new Spurs three-point mark
Julian Champagnie set the Spurs’ single-season three-point record during Saturday’s overtime loss in Denver. He hit six triples in the game to reach 192 on the campaign.
The total moves him past Danny Green’s mark from the 2014–15 season. Champagnie, 24 and in his fourth year, credited hard work for his breakout season.
Pelicans slide continues
New Orleans has dug itself into an eight-game losing streak with three regular-season games remaining. The club lost after surrendering a 17-point lead at Sacramento on Friday.
That defeat was followed by a four-point home loss to Orlando. Rod Walker of NOLA.com noted the team is not intentionally tanking, since they do not control their first-round pick.
Rockets lineup decisions and Davison News
Ime Udoka has alternated Tari Eason and Reed Sheppard at the fifth starting spot over recent weeks. Analysts say Eason brings a steadier floor while Sheppard offers greater upside.
Sheppard, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft, stressed that both players want to win regardless of starting status. William Guillory of The Athletic called the choice a potential crossroads for Houston.
Meanwhile, JD Davison has hit the 50-game active limit and cannot appear in the Rockets’ final four regular-season games. Keith Smith of Spotrac reported Davison would need a promotion to a standard contract to become eligible.
Davison, last season’s G League MVP with the Celtics, is on a two-way deal. Houston also has reached its under-15 roster limit, which prevents other two-way players from being active unless a 15th player is added.
