San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season after being diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder.
The 21-year-old was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis upon returning to San Antonio following the NBA All-Star Game in San Francisco.
Wembanyama initially dismissed his symptoms, hoping rest after the All-Star Game would help, but tests later revealed a blood clot in his right shoulder, sources told ESPN.
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Despite the setback, the San Antonio Spurs remain optimistic about his full recovery before the 2025-26 season, according to PEOPLE.
“It’s tough,” Wembanyama’s teammate, point guard Chris Paul, told ESPN. “Tough more than anything, I think for all of us, knowing how much he means to our team, but more so knowing how much he means to the game and how much he loves to play.”
“And trust me, you can’t replace Vic. Aside from his basketball ability, his charisma and what he brings to the locker room are what we’ll miss the most,” he said.
Wembanyama, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year and first-time All-Star, was having a standout season, averaging 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks in 46 games.
A strong contender for Defensive Player of the Year, he will now be ineligible for the award due to not meeting the 65-game requirement.
Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs (23-29) have also been without head coach Gregg Popovich for most of the season after he took a leave of absence following a mild stroke in November.
