Feb. 20 (UPI) — All-Star center Victor Wembanyama was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder and is expected to miss the rest of the 2024-25 NBA season, the San Antonio Spurs announced Thursday.
The Spurs said the deep vein thrombosis was discovered when the 7-foot-3 center returned to San Antonio after the All-Star Game on Sunday in San Francisco.
Wembanyama, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and reigning Rookie of the Year, averaged 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, a league-high 3.8 blocks and 3.7 assists per game through 46 starts this season.
The Defensive Player of the Year favorite will no longer be eligible for that award and other season-long major honors because he won’t meet the required 65-game minimum.
Bismack Biyombo and Charles Bassey are among the players on the Spurs roster who could see more minutes at center with Wembanyama’s absence. Bassey, who is listed at 6-foot-10, recently missed time due to a knee injury. The 6-foot-8 Biyombo signed a 10-day contract with the Spurs on Feb. 9.
The Spurs (23-29) sit in 12th place in the Western Conference standings. They will host the Phoenix Suns (26-28) at 9:30 p.m. EST Thursday in San Antonio.
