NBA 2024-25: Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama expected to miss remainder of season due to injury
San Antonio Spurs All-Star center Victor Wembanyama is expected to miss the rest of the season with a deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, the team announced on Thursday.
Thrombosis occurs when blood turns into clumps inside a blood vessel, creating a blood clot. ESPN reported that the Spurs believe it is an isolated issue.
“The condition was discovered when Wembanyama returned to San Antonio following the All-Star Game in San Francisco,” the Spurs said. “Wembanyama is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024-25 regular season. The team will provide updates as appropriate.”
Wembanyama, 21, was listed as doubtful on the injury report on Wednesday because of illness ahead of the Spurs’ game Thursday against the Phoenix Suns in Austin, Texas.
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He is averaging 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and a league-high 3.8 blocked shots in 46 starts this season. He also leads the Spurs with 142 made 3-pointers.
“It’s tough,” Spurs 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.”
Paul said Wembanyama’s absence will be felt on and off the court.
“Aside from his basketball ability, his charisma and what he brings into the locker room I think is what we’ll miss the most,” Paul said.
Named the unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year last season, the 7-foot-3 Wembanyama competed in his first All-Star Game last weekend and was the favorite for NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors this season.
The Spurs selected the France native first overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. In parts of two seasons, he is averaging 22.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 3.7 blocks in 117 games (all starts).
This is the second major loss for San Antonio this season. Gregg Popovich, the winningest coach in NBA history, has been on an indefinite leave of absence since November after suffering a stroke.
