The San Antonio Spurs have won an NBA-best 10 straight games, and they look to make it 11 as they travel to the Intuit Dome to face the LA Clippers on Thursday, April 2. But there’s a massive twist: Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot-4 French phenomenon who has been playing like an alien from another galaxy, has been ruled out due to a right ankle injury. That changes everything – including tonight’s best betting angle. Before the injury news broke, our top free NBA pick was centered on Wembanyama’s points+rebounds+assists (PRA) prop. Even with him sidelined, the lesson from his recent dominance is worth examining for future bets. Leading into Thursday, Wembanyama had posted consecutive 41-point double-doubles, including a 41-point, 18-rebound masterpiece against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday in just 29 minutes. Over his last five games, he averaged 30 points, 15.8 rebounds, and 4 assists, reaching 40+ points four times. In his last 16 games since March 1, the numbers are staggering: 27.7 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists – a combined PRA of 43.5. He has gone over 40 PRA nine times in that span. On the season, Wembanyama has topped 39.5 PRA in 29 games, including 16 of 31 road contests. The matchup against the Clippers – a team that lacks depth in the frontcourt – was particularly juicy. Ivica Zubac is a solid defender, but he can’t stay with Wembanyama on the perimeter, and no one else on the Clippers roster has the size to bother him. Now, without Wembanyama, the Spurs’ offense will lean heavily on Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and rookie sensation Jeremy Sochan. But the betting market has adjusted rapidly. The Clippers went from +8 underdogs to -4 favorites. The over/under dropped from 228.5 to 218.5. For those who already bet the Wembanyama over 39.5 PRA, it’s a refund (most sportsbooks void bets if a player doesn’t play). But the bigger takeaway is this: when Wembanyama returns – which could be as soon as Saturday against Portland – his PRA prop is a must-bet. He’s made it clear that he wants to win MVP, and he’s playing with a vengeance. “He’s out of this world,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said earlier this week. “I’ve never seen anything like it. He’s 7-4 and he moves like a guard. It’s not fair.” For bettors, the key is to monitor injury reports closely. If Wembanyama is active, the over on his PRA is one of the most reliable props in the NBA. His usage rate is astronomical, and he stuffs the stat sheet in every category. Even on nights when his shot isn’t falling, he racks up rebounds and blocks (which don’t count for PRA but still show his activity). The Clippers, without a true shot-blocker, would have been a dream matchup. But even against other teams, Wembanyama consistently clears 40 combined points, rebounds, and assists. The only risk is foul trouble or a blowout where he sits the fourth quarter. But given the Spurs’ winning streak and their playoff push, Popovich is playing his star heavy minutes. What about the Spurs vs. Clippers game without Wemby? The pick now shifts to the Clippers to cover the spread. LA has been playing well, and James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George (if healthy) should exploit a Spurs defense that relies heavily on Wembanyama’s rim protection. The under also looks appealing, as both teams will likely struggle to score efficiently without the alien presence. But for bettors, the real value is in futures: Wembanyama for MVP at +400 is still a steal. He’s currently third in the odds behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic, but if the Spurs finish the season on a 15-game winning streak and Wemby puts up 30/15/5 averages, the narrative could shift. Keep an eye on his availability. When he plays, bet the over. When he sits, fade the Spurs. That’s the Wembanyama rule for the rest of the season.