Victor Wembanyama is done for the season.
The San Antonio Spurs announced that the reigning Rookie of the Year is out for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign, after he was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
The team noted that the condition was discovered after Wembanyama returned home following his first All-Star experience in San Francisco.
The 21-year-old Frenchman, together with teammate Chris Paul, took part in the Skills Challenge and went on to play in the All-Star Game under Team Chuck.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), thrombosis is a blood clot within blood vessels that limits the flow of blood.
Having blood clot issues is not new to the NBA with notable players such as Chris Bosh, Brandon Ingram, Ausar Thompson and Christian Koloko all being diagnosed with such condition. All of them returned to play after recovering but Bosh was forced to retire as another blood clot formed in his calf.
But, it was a big blow for Wembanayama, who is having perhaps his best season in the league.
Across 46 games this season, Wemby is averaging 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.7 assists and a league-leading 3.8 blocks. He is also the frontrunner for the Defensive Player of Year race.
San Antonio is currently out in the Play-In territory in the West, sitting at 12th place behind a 23-29 record.
With 30 games left, the Spurs’ chances of making a second-half push got hit by a major roadblock even if star guard De’Aaron Fox is still available.
