Victor Wembanyama's historic rookie season has been a masterclass in both skill and spectacle, and now the San Antonio Spurs star has received a crucial update on his pursuit of individual hardware. The French phenom has openly targeted the NBA MVP award, and his otherworldly stats make him a compelling, if unconventional, candidate in the race.

However, a recent rib contusion suffered against the Philadelphia 76ers threw a wrench into those plans. To be eligible for major awards like MVP or All-NBA honors, a player must appear in at least 65 regular-season games. Heading into the final stretch, Wembanyama found himself sitting at 64 games played.

The good news, as reported by ESPN's Shams Charania, is that the Spurs' plan appears to be strategic. While Wembanyama is expected to sit out Wednesday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers to continue healing, the team anticipates he will suit up for one of their final two contests. San Antonio closes its season with a back-to-back against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday and the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.

For Wembanyama to officially hit the 65-game threshold and keep his award hopes alive, he needs to log at least 20 minutes in either of those final games. This calculated approach allows the Spurs to prioritize his long-term health while still giving their franchise cornerstone a shot at the recognition his phenomenal season deserves. It sets the stage for a dramatic finale to a rookie year already for the ages.