On Friday, the French sports publication L’Equipe featured a prominent image of Victor Wembanyama on its front page, depicting the San Antonio star with a subdued expression, hands resting on his hips.
The headline “Coup D’Arret,” which translates to Knockout Blow, accurately reflects the current situation for the young athlete.
Unfortunately, Wembanyama’s season has been abruptly interrupted due to a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right shoulder, indicating the presence of a blood clot. After consulting with their medical team, the Spurs organization has confirmed that Wembanyama will not return to play this season. The silver lining, however, is the medical team’s belief that this condition is not likely to jeopardize his career.
“I know Victor is passionate about the game,” said acting Spurs coach Mitch Johnson. “He showed how much he competes during All-Star weekend and wants to be there for his teammates. I’m certain he’d prefer to finish this season strong.”
The Spurs have kept the details of Wembanyama’s condition to a minimum, stating only the diagnosis of DVT and expressing hope for a complete recovery. The fact that the blood clot is located in his upper body brings some comfort and optimism to the situation.
There are situations where DVT can arise when a blood vessel in the upper arm is compressed by a rib or muscle, which may require surgical intervention if this is the case. However, the Spurs have not confirmed whether Wembanyama is experiencing this specific issue. Should this be the scenario, it might lend credence to the idea that he could be back on the court in a few months.
Medical professionals will need to determine how the clot formed and why it is situated in his shoulder. Of utmost importance is whether it was a spontaneous clot (considered more serious) or one that has a specific cause (which would likely rule out hereditary factors).
“I just want him to be healthy, regardless of whether he gets back to playing basketball or not,” said Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox in a postgame interview after San Antonio triumphed over Phoenix earlier this week. “His well-being is what truly matters.”
This season has posed significant health challenges for the Spurs, notably affecting key figures in the franchise. Legendary coach Gregg Popovich, known for being the winningest coach in NBA history, suffered a stroke in early November and has not returned to coaching since, leading to Johnson stepping into his role. Now, Wembanyama’s emergence has also been halted.
Standing at 7 feet 3 inches tall, Wembanyama had been delivering an impressive season with averages of 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, and 3.7 assists. He was on track to potentially secure the Defensive Player of the Year award and earn a spot on an All-NBA team.
Chris Paul joined the Spurs last summer with hopes of playing alongside Wembanyama, while Fox was acquired through a trade this month for the same purpose. Regrettably, circumstances have not unfolded as envisioned, leaving San Antonio facing a challenging road to qualify for the play-in tournament within the competitive Western Conference in the remaining weeks.
“I’m constantly thinking about Vic,” said Phoenix All-Star forward Kevin Durant. “I’m sure the entire basketball community is also reflecting on him during this time. With his powerful will and mindset, I have no doubts he’ll focus on recovering and getting back to the game. Though I don’t know him well, I can sense the determination he embodies, and I look forward to seeing him return.”
Numerous athletes have faced similar clot-related health issues, and experiences can vary significantly. Serena Williams made a successful comeback to tennis after battling clotting complications following childbirth, undergoing multiple surgeries in the process. Conversely, Chris Bosh had to retire after being diagnosed with clots. In hockey, Tomas Fleischmann had clots yet continued his career, while Tomas Vokoun required surgery for his own clotting issue and never played in the NHL again.
Wembanyama might have a chance to return to action as early as August if he opts to represent France in the European Championships, one of the sport’s largest tournaments. He spoke passionately about the significance of wearing his country’s colors during the Paris Olympics last summer, indicating a strong likelihood he will consider participating if medically cleared.
Boris Diaw, a former player with the Spurs who now operates within the French basketball federation, has refrained from speculating about Wembanyama’s future with EuroBasket in mind. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the present, expressing his hopes for Wembanyama’s recovery. “It’s never easy to endure a long injury that keeps you off the court,” Diaw remarked in an interview. “I can imagine how challenging this is for him, as we all know how much he cherishes playing.”
