Spurs’ Star Victor Wembanyama Diagnosed With Deep Vein Thrombosis, Out for Rest of the Season

The San Antonio Spurs announced on Thursday that Victor Wembanyama will miss the rest of the season due to a deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.

In a statement from the Spurs, the condition, a form of blood clot, was diagnosed after Wembanyama returned to San Antonio following the NBA All-Star Game. Blood-thinning medication is the usual treatment for this, and it generally rules out participation in contact sports like basketball.

The Spurs are hopeful that he will fully recover in time for the start of the 2025-26 season. Spurs acting head coach Mitch Johnson said the team’s medical staff assured them that Wembanyama’s long-term health will not be affected.

“The medical experts and the people that are smarter than everybody in the room have said and confirm that he’ll be done this year and there is no concern for Victor’s long-term health, personally, or anything related to his basketball activities,” Johnson said. “There is no reason to believe he won’t be ready to go starting next season.”

After Wembanyama told the team’s medical staff earlier this week that “his arm didn’t feel completely normal” upon returning from the All-Star Game, the Spurs decided to have him undergo a series of tests, according to Johnson.

“This started by conversations around Monday. I don’t know exactly the time. It was our medical staff. They looked into it, and that’s how we got here,” he added.

Wembanyama, the reigning Rookie of the Year and first-time NBA All-Star, was putting up averages of 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and leading the league with 3.8 blocks in 46 games for the Spurs.

According to the team’s statement, updates on his condition will be given as necessary.

Due to not meeting the 65-game minimum, Wembanyama will be ineligible for All-NBA, Defensive Player of the Year, and other major awards.

“[He’s] very intellectual and process-driven, and he won’t skip steps [in his recovery],” Johnson said. “He’ll go about it the right way.”