The injury didn’t just sideline a player; it put a temporary hold on basketball evolution itself.

“He was in angst for a long time to get back,” Johnson revealed, painting a picture of a competitor fighting battles nobody could see. “I would say it’s probably that more than anything—his excitement and just ready to get back on the court.”

Why This Clearance Changes Everything

Victor Wembanyama doesn’t just play basketball; he redefines what’s possible on a court. During his truncated sophomore season, he averaged 24.3 points and 11.0 rebounds while anchoring a defense that transformed whenever he stepped onto the hardwood. These aren’t just statistics—they’re proof of concept for what the future of basketball looks like.

ESPN‘s analysts raised eyebrows by ranking him fifth among all NBA players heading into the 2025-26 season. Critics called it premature. Believers called it inevitable. The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle, but one thing remains undeniable: when healthy, Wembanyama makes the impossible look routine.

The Spurs didn’t sit idle during his recovery. General manager Brian Wright orchestrated a methodical retool, adding guys like Dylan Harper, Carter Bryant, Luke Kornet, and Kelly Olynyk.

The Championship Window Opens Wide

San Antonio’s Western Conference competition won’t roll over and play dead, but they should be worried. A healthy Wembanyama changes the mathematical equation of every possession. His presence alone forces opposing coaches to scrap game plans and invent new offensive schemes on the fly.

The medical clearance Johnson announced Monday represents more than just one player returning from injury. It signals the official beginning of San Antonio’s championship pursuit in earnest. The Spurs haven’t tasted playoff basketball since the Tim Duncan era ended, but Victor Wembanyama brings something different to South Texas—the kind of generational talent that bends entire leagues to its will.

Training camp begins Tuesday, and for the first time in months, Spurs fans can dream without reservation. The French phenom is back, cleared for takeoff, and ready to finish what injury interrupted. Basketball purists should buckle up because Victor Wembanyama’s revenge tour is about to begin.