Goodbye to season: Wembanyama ends 24/25 season with deep vein thrombosis
The French center (21 years old and 7 feet 3 inches tall) is suffering from a deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, according to the San Antonio Spurs.
Bad news for basketball, the NBA, and the San Antonio Spurs. Victor Wembanyama will not play (unless something surprising happens) for the remainder of the season due to a deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, the Texas franchise reported. The center (21 years old and 7′3″) thus concludes his second season in the North American League after 46 games, averaging 24.3 points (35.2% from three) and 11 rebounds.
The Spurs discovered the French player’s issue, as he had been out of shape lately, upon his return from the first All-Star Game of his career. And it’s serious: although deep vein thrombosis is more common in the legs and more dangerous when it affects the lower body, the concern is that a part of the clot could dislodge and travel to the lungs, where the damage is more severe and, in the worst cases, could lead to death. The most recognized case is that of Chris Bosh, who had to retire due to this health issue.
On the opposite side, there’s Brandon Ingram. When the forward was part of the Los Angeles Lakers, he was diagnosed in March 2019 with deep vein thrombosis in his right arm. The current Toronto Raptors player underwent surgery and fully recovered in four months. Ausar Thompson (Detroit Pistons) had a blood clot in 2024 that ended his season, but he returned this year. In Texas, they are optimistic and hope to see their star at the beginning of the next season.
Sportingly, his absence makes it very complicated, or practically impossible, for San Antonio to qualify for the playoffs this season. With 30 games left in the regular season, the Texans are 12th in the Western Conference with a record of 23-29, three and a half games behind the Golden State Warriors, who hold the 10th spot, the last one that allows access to the play-in tournament.
After a first season in which he improved significantly to crown himself as the Rookie of the Year, Wemby has taken several steps forward as the franchise player for the Spurs and as one of the main faces of the NBA. However, his positive development has not allowed his team to move forward, remaining once again in no man’s land.
The French player, in addition to saying goodbye to the courts, also bids farewell to chasing some of the season’s awards, such as the Best Defender award, and to being part of some of the best lineups of the season. The reason? He hasn’t reached the 65 games played.