Tim McMahon
AUSTIN, Texas — San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wenbanyama is expected to miss the rest of the season with a deep venous thrombosis in his right shoulder, the team announced Thursday.
The Spurs said in a statement that a form of blood clots was discovered after Wenbanyama returned to San Antonio after the All-Star Game. This condition is usually treated with blood thinning drugs. This usually prevents players from participating in contact sports such as basketball.
Wenbanyama recently began to feel symptomatic, but believed he would feel better in two days after the All-Star Game, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania. As symptoms continued, Wembanyama underwent a series of tests showing blood clots.
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Team sources told ESPN that the Spurs are optimistic that Wenbanyama will recover fully by the beginning of the 2025-26 season.
“That’s difficult,” Spurs point guard Chris Paul said. “The toughest of all, we all know how much he means to our team, but know how much he means to the game and how much he plays. I think so.”
The best rookie of the year and first All-star of the season, Wenbanyama averaged 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.8 blocks leading the league in 46 games for the Spurs, 23-29.
In a statement, the team said updates regarding Wenbanyama’s condition will be provided as needed.
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“I think everyone understands that basketball is what we do and not who we are,” Paul said. “So life and everything is much more important, but for us, we know that losing a large part of our team is (constituted) by the committee, and trust me. , you can’t replace Vic. Stand on the man’s shoulder and block all the shots that come to the rim.
“Aside from his basketball abilities, his charisma, and what he brings into the locker room, I think we’re missing the most.”
Wenbanyama is not eligible for All-NBA, defensive players or other major awards as he does not meet the 65-game minimum. Wenbanyama is a favourite of -2000 people to win Player of the Year at ESPN BET, attracting more than three times the bets to win the award before the Spurs’ announcement. Memphis Grizzlies forward Jalen Jackson Jr. then moved to his favorite Player of the Year from +2500 to -130.
Wenbanyama’s departure was the Spurs’ second major loss this season, coming around three months after manager Greg Popovich was forced to take an indefinite leave from the sidelines after suffering a stroke.
Wenbanyama has already taken a 403 3-pointer and has blocked 176 shots this season. NBA history players never finished the season with these numbers, and Wenbanyama did it before the All-Star break.
This report used information from David Purdum of ESPN and the Associated Press.
