The San Antonio Spurs were dealt a devastating blow Thursday when Victor Wembanyama was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a life-threatening condition.
Wembanyama, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft who just made his All-Star Game debut last weekend, has been dominant in his second season. The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year was averaging 24.3 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and a league-leading 3.8 blocks per game through 46 appearances.
The Spurs (23-29), currently 12th in the Western Conference, had hoped to make a playoff push after acquiring point guard De’Aaron Fox from the Sacramento Kings. Those aspirations now appear unlikely without their cornerstone player.
What condition is shutting down Victor Wembanyama?
The team discovered Wembanyama has deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right shoulder when he returned to San Antonio following the All-Star festivities in San Francisco. ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Wembanyama was initially listed as doubtful for Thursday’s game against Phoenix while undergoing medical tests.
“The San Antonio Spurs today announced that Victor Wembanyama has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder,” the team said in a statement. “Wembanyama is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024-25 regular season.”
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) February 20, 2025
While deep vein thrombosis typically occurs in the legs, Wembanyama’s condition is located in his shoulder. The Mayo Clinic describes DVT as a potentially serious condition where blood clots form in deep veins and can break loose, potentially traveling to the lungs and causing a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.
Despite the concerning diagnosis, the Spurs expect their young star to make a full recovery and return for the 2025-26 season.
Related: Where do San Antonio Spurs land in our latest NBA power rankings?
