NBA passes reforms on lottery, rest

Victor Wembanyama has been under a minutes restriction over the past few weeks. The San Antonio Spurs have also kept their prized big man from playing in back-to-back games over that same period. It’s unclear when Wembanyama will be allowed to play in back-to-backs, but the minutes restriction may lift soon.

“Not by next game (at Philadelphia on Monday night), but perhaps after that,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said when asked when Wembanyama might be able to play more.

The 7-foot-4 big man hasn’t played more than 27:45 in a game since December 17. Over his last 12 games, Wembanyama has averaged 24.5 minutes per game. He’s also missed one end of a back-to-back three times over the last month-plus.