Curious about Victor Wembanyama‘s injury? We have all the details right here. The San Antonio Spurs’ rising star and reigning Rookie of the Year will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season due to a medical condition. The team announced the news of his injury on February 20, 2025, following his return from the NBA All-Star Game.
Here’s what we know so far about Victor Wembanyama’s injury situation and its impact on the team.
What happened to Victor Wembanyama?
Victor Wembanyama will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season due to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right shoulder, the San Antonio Spurs announced on February 20, 2025.
Doctors discovered the condition, a form of blood clot, after Wembanyama returned from the NBA All-Star Game. The team stated that he must undergo treatment with blood thinners, which prevent him from participating in contact sports. Acting head coach Mitch Johnson said medical experts confirmed they have no concerns about Wembanyama’s long-term health.
Before his diagnosis, Wembanyama was averaging 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, and a league-leading 3.8 blocks per game. He was the frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year but is now ineligible due to not meeting the 65-game minimum. The Spurs, at 23-29, were aiming for a play-in tournament spot after acquiring De’Aaron Fox at the trade deadline. Without Wembanyama, their frontcourt depth is impacted, as they had previously traded Zach Collins and lost Charles Bassey to injury.
The Spurs remain optimistic that Victor Wembanyama will fully recover from the injury by the 2025-26 season, pending clearance from the NBA’s fitness-to-play panel. Similar cases, such as Brandon Ingram in 2019, suggest Wembanyama could return by next season’s opening night. The Spurs also hold a 3% chance of securing the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, adding to their rebuilding efforts alongside Fox.
Victor Wembanyama’s absence due to injury impacts several NBA aspects, including the Defensive Player of the Year race, where Jaren Jackson Jr. now leads as the favorite. The Spurs plan to exercise Wembanyama’s $16.9 million team option for 2026-27 and prioritize extending De’Aaron Fox’s contract. They will assess their younger core, including rookie Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell, as they prepare for next season.
