The San Antonio Spurs introduced that All-Star massive man Victor Wembanyama is anticipated to overlook the rest of the season after being recognized with deep vein thrombosis in his proper shoulder. The situation was discovered after he returned from All-Star Weekend, the workforce mentioned.

Wembanyama reportedly had low vitality just lately that the Spurs felt was regarding, and after collaborating in All-Star Weekend and taking a brief trip afterward did not enhance it, checks had been achieved the place the deep vein thrombosis was discovered, per The Athletic’s Sam Amick. Regardless of the analysis and lacking the remainder of the season, the Spurs are “very assured” that Wembanyama will make a full restoration for the beginning of subsequent season, per Amick.

Clearly crucial facet of this information is Wembanyama’s well being. Deep vein thrombosis, per the Mayo Clinic, happens when a blood clot varieties in one of many deep veins within the human physique. It normally happens within the legs, however it may happen within the higher physique. 

Here is the total assertion from the Spurs:

“The San Antonio Spurs at this time introduced that Victor Wembanyama has been recognized with deep vein thrombosis in his proper shoulder. The situation was found when Wembanyama returned to San Antonio following the All-Star Sport in San Francisco. Wembanyama is anticipated to overlook the rest of the 2024-25 season. The workforce will present updates as doable.”

Wembanyama was the overwhelming favourite to win Defensive Participant of the 12 months honors and was on monitor to make his first All-NBA Group this season earlier than Thursday’s information. Wembanyama is not going to be eligible for end-of-season honors, nonetheless, because the NBA’s main awards carry a 65-game requirement.

Wembanyama averaged 24.3 factors, 11 rebounds and three.8 blocks per recreation this season in 46 appearances. He is simply the seventh participant in NBA historical past to common 24+ factors & 3+ blocks per recreation in a season, and the primary since Shaquille O’Neal within the 1999-2000 marketing campaign.

“Basketball is what we do, not who we’re,” Wembanyama’s Spurs teammate Chris Paul instructed reporters shortly after the information broke. The workforce is presently in Austin, the place the Spurs will host the Suns on the College of Texas’ Moody Heart on Thursday night time.

Wembanyama is the newest notable NBA participant to cope with blood-clot points. Brandon Ingram missed the ultimate 19 video games of the 2018-19 season with the identical situation in his proper arm. Blood clots compelled Chris Bosh to retire early. Bosh was recognized with pulmonary embolism in 2014 after a blood clot traveled to his lungs. He acquired surgical procedure to take away it and underwent remedy to stop additional clots. Nonetheless, in 2015 he was recognized with deep vein thrombosis, and regardless of present process additional therapy, he made the choice to step away from the Miami Warmth, which ultimately led to his retirement.

Mike Finger of the San Antonio Specific-Information reported Thursday that Wembanyama’s situation will not be regarded as as critical as Bosh’s.

From a basketball perspective, it is a devastating blow for Wembanyama and the Spurs, who had been placing collectively a a lot stronger season after profitable simply 22 video games a season in the past. They’ve surpassed that win complete with 23, and had been inside vary of getting one of many remaining play-in spots for the playoffs within the West. However with Wembanyama out for the remainder of the season, these probabilities dwindle considerably, and the Spurs seem headed for the draft lottery.