The San Antonio Spurs have announced that star player Victor Wembanyama will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season due to a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. The condition was identified upon Wembanyama’s return to San Antonio following his participation in the NBA All-Star Game held in San Francisco on February 16. The team has stated that updates regarding his health will be provided as necessary.
Wembanyama, in his second season, has made a significant impact in the league, averaging 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, and 3.7 assists per game, while maintaining a 59.4 true shooting percentage. His performance has contributed to his burgeoning reputation as a potential mega-star. Earlier in the season, the Spurs made a notable trade to acquire point guard De’Aaron Fox, positioning the two players as key components of the team's future aspirations in the competitive Western Conference.
With Wembanyama sidelined, the Spurs will need to adjust their lineup and rely on Fox along with their young core to remain competitive in the postseason race. Currently, the team is only 3.5 games away from the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. The Spurs' new starting lineup includes Chris Paul, De’Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, and Sandro Mamukelashvili, while their second unit features Stephon Castle, Julian Champagnie, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, and Bismack Biyombo. The absence of Wembanyama is expected to have a considerable impact on the team's performance as they navigate the remainder of the season.