Spurs center Victor Wembanyama will miss the rest of the 2024-25 season.
Spurs center Victor Wembanyama will be out for the 2024-25 season after being diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder, the team announced Thursday.
The news comes hours before San Antonio was readying to host the Phoenix Suns (9:30 p.m. ET, TNT) to tip off the post-All-Star Break portion of its schedule.
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) February 20, 2025
Wembanyama’s condition — deep vein thrombosis — was diagnosed this week after he returned from the All-Star Game, the Spurs said. It is almost always treated with blood-thinning medication, which typically precludes a player from participating in a contact sport such as basketball.
Athletes who are involved with contact sports are typically advised to avoid using such medication because of the heightened chance of bleeding.
Per Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News, the team is optimistic about Wembanyama’s long-term health and that he will recover to play next season. The reigning Kia Rookie of the Year, Wembanyama dazzled in 2023-24, posting 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.6 blocks per game in 71 games with the Spurs.
A favorite for the Kia Defensive Player of the Year award, Wembanyama is leading the NBA in blocked shots (3.8 bpg) while also posting 24.3 points, 11 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. He has already taken 403 3-pointers and blocked 176 shots this season. No player in NBA history has ever finished a season with those numbers, yet Wembanyama did it this season by the All-Star break.
“I’m in shock,” Miami forward Kevin Love said when told of the news shortly after the Spurs announced Wembanyama’s condition. “Absolute shock.”
He made his first All-Star appearance last weekend, taking part in the Kia Skills Challenge and the All-Star Game itself.
He finished with six points and four rebounds as Chuck’s Global Stars defeated Kenny’s Young Stars in his All-Star debut and had 11 points and three rebounds in a 41-25 loss to Shaq’s OGs in the Final of the All-Star tournament. His loss is a massive blow to the Spurs, who are contending for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Such cases have affected NBA players before, including now-retired Hall of Famer Chris Bosh — whose career was cut short after he was diagnosed with blood clots.
Some athletes have come back, sometimes better than ever, after dealing with blood clots.
Serena Williams was diagnosed with the problem known as a pulmonary embolism — a clot on the lung — in 2011 and was the dominant women’s tennis player in the world again when she returned.
“Scariest thing I ever experienced,” Williams said months after returning.
Wembanyama is widely considered the brightest young star in the game.
“I’ve seen one quote that he says that nobody better call him past 9 o’clock at night because he’s either reading or he’s asleep. I think that’s super cool. I think that’s super dope,” Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James said this past weekend. “That lets you know where his mind frame is at, where he is at intellectually, and I think he’s been great, obviously, for the franchise with the Spurs. But he’s going to be great for our league for so many years to come.”
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
