Victor Wembanyama out for season with deep vein thrombosis

Spurs star diagnosed with blood clot, ending his standout campaign.

Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs greets fans during the 2025 NBA All-Star Night at Chase Center in San Francisco, California, on February 16, 2025. Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu

By Sarah Oktaviany and Yuni Utomo

San Antonio Spurs standout Victor Wembanyama will miss the rest of the NBA season after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right shoulder, the team announced Thursday. The diagnosis comes as a significant blow to both the 21-year-old French phenom and the Spurs, as Wembanyama was in the midst of another stellar campaign.

The Spurs released a statement confirming Wembanyama’s condition following his return to San Antonio after participating in last Sunday’s All-Star Game in San Francisco.

"Wembanyama is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024-25 regular season," the team said. "The team will provide updates as appropriate."

DVT is a serious medical condition in which a blood clot forms in a deep vein, potentially leading to life-threatening complications if left untreated. While the Spurs did not specify the severity of Wembanyama’s case, the decision to sideline him for the rest of the season underscores the importance of his recovery.

Wembanyama’s second season in the NBA was shaping up to be just as remarkable as his first. After winning Rookie of the Year honors last season, the 7-foot-3 (2.21m) center was delivering elite performances on both ends of the court.

Through 46 games, Wembanyama was averaging 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and a league-leading 3.8 blocks per game, further solidifying his status as one of the NBA’s brightest young stars. His dominant play earned him his first All-Star selection as a reserve, marking another milestone in his rapidly rising career.

His season also included a high-profile trip to his home country of France, where the Spurs split two games against the Indiana Pacers in Paris. The event was a homecoming for Wembanyama, who had been playing in the French league just a year and a half earlier before being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

A setback for Spurs and French basketball

Wembanyama’s injury is a major setback for the Spurs, who had been building around their young superstar as the centerpiece of their future. While San Antonio remains in a rebuilding phase, Wembanyama’s presence had already begun to shift the trajectory of the franchise.

Beyond the NBA, his absence could also have implications for France’s national basketball team, especially with major international competitions on the horizon. Wembanyama played a crucial role in France’s silver-medal finish at the Paris Olympics, where they fell to the United States in the final.

While Wembanyama’s season has come to an early end, the focus now shifts to his recovery. The Spurs have not provided a timetable for his return beyond confirming he will not play again this season. The nature of DVT requires careful medical management, but if treated properly, players have returned to action without long-term consequences.

For now, San Antonio will have to navigate the remainder of the season without its rising star, while Wembanyama begins the road to recovery, aiming to return stronger for the 2025-26 campaign.