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Details Emerge From Victor Wembanyama's Scary Medical Situation

Originally posted on The Spun | By Kameron Duncan | Last updated Feb 20, 2025 1:35 PM ET

The NBA's best young player, Victor Wembanyama, was just part of the All-Star Weekend festivities in the Bay Area.

Wembanyama competed on both Saturday and Sunday night, and was expected to lead the San Antonio Spurs in the second half of the season.

Four days later, and we've learned that Wembanyama will miss the rest of the 2024-25 campaign. The 21-year-old center was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, and the ailment will force him out for at least the rest of this year.

One NBA writer is revealing more about what led the Spurs to their decision to sit Wembanyama down for the rest of the season on Thursday.

According to The Athletic's Sam Amick, Wembanyama experienced low energy in the days leading up to All-Star Weekend, during the weekend itself and then in his two days off after it ended.

Per source, to @TheAthletic, Victor Wembanyama had experienced low energy lately that was causing concern.

When he still had low energy at All-Star weekend, and through his two-day vacation after it, the tests began that ultimately uncovered the deep vein thrombosis. The Spurs…
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) February 20, 2025

After returning to the team, he was tested and the diagnosis was made, ending his campaign.

The Spurs are optimistic that this is an isolated incident that will not affect Wembanyama's health long-term, and that with proper care he should he fully healthy for the start of next season.

The loss of Wembanyama is a massive blow to the Spurs as a team and to the NBA as a whole. He was named the Rookie of the Year last season after an impressive first campaign, and was an All-Star this season.

Wembanyama is the league leader in blocks at 3.8 per game, and looked to be a virtual lock for the Defensive Player of the Year award.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 08: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on from the bench against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter in the game at Madison Square Garden on November 08, 2023 in New York City.Elsa/Getty Images

He won't be eligible for it now after finishing his season with only 46 games played - 19 away from the 65-game threshold players much reach to be considered for major awards.

Wembanyama will also be unable to help the Spurs make a push for the play-in tournament. As the All-Star break comes to an end on Thursday, the Spurs are just a few games behind the 10th-place Golden State Warriors.

The Spurs were able to add another great player in De'Aaron Fox at the trade deadline, but losing Wembanyama is likely enough to keep them out of the playoff picture this season.

We'll see how Wembanyama bounces back next year, but his season-ending ailment is certainly sad news for the NBA after the All-Star break.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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