Victor Wembanyama’s 2024-25 season ended in February 2025 when the San Antonio Spurs announced he had been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. The condition, a blood clot, forced the 7-foot-4 French phenom to miss the final 30 games of his second NBA season . While the diagnosis sent shockwaves through the basketball world, doctors assured the Spurs that the issue was not considered career-threatening .
The Diagnosis That Stopped a Meteoric Rise
Wembanyama had just made his first NBA All-Star appearance and was putting together a season that had him as the frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year. He was averaging 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, and 3.7 assists per game through 46 contests . Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had ever finished a season with averages that high across all four statistical categories . But after returning from All-Star Weekend in San Francisco, the young star complained that his arm “didn’t feel completely normal” . Tests soon confirmed the presence of a blood clot in his right shoulder.
Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, and the major concern is that the clot could break loose and travel to the lungs . Acting coach Mitch Johnson addressed the situation with cautious optimism, stating that medical experts had confirmed there was no concern for Wembanyama’s long-term health, personally or in relation to his basketball activities . The Spurs’ medical staff began treatment with blood-thinning medication almost immediately .
The Recovery Process and Return to Basketball
The treatment for Wembanyama’s condition followed a careful, measured timeline. He was placed on blood thinners to dissolve the clot and underwent a surgical procedure in March 2025 . By early April, he had progressed to light weightlifting, an important milestone given the clot’s location in his right shoulder . He spoke to the media for the first time since the injury on April 13, 2025, saying, “I’m sure it’s something I’m going to use to grow and be better” .
On July 14, 2025, Wembanyama received the news he had been waiting for. He was officially cleared by the Spurs’ medical staff to return to basketball activities, nearly five months after being shut down . “I got the green light from the Spurs’ medical staff just now,” he told L’Equipe. “Phew, I’ll finally be able to play a bit of basketball again” . He spent the summer training rigorously, working on his conditioning and skills in Los Angeles and even incorporating martial arts into his routine .Victor Wembanyama Quick Bio
Chris Bosh’s Sobering Warning
Following his diagnosis, Wembanyama received a serious warning from former NBA star Chris Bosh, whose career was ended by recurring blood clots. In an interview, Bosh offered heartfelt advice to the young center. “Take your medicine. Make sure that he’s staying on top of his regimen to make sure that doesn’t happen again because it only takes one more time,” Bosh said. “It happened one more time for me, it happened twice, and I couldn’t play anymore” . Bosh’s NBA career came to an abrupt end in 2016 after he was diagnosed with blood clots that had traveled to his lungs . He spent more than a year exploring treatment options before independent medical specialists declined to clear him, believing that continuing to play posed an unacceptable threat to his life .
The 2025-26 Comeback Season
Wembanyama made a successful return for the 2025-26 season, appearing in 64 regular-season games and playing a pivotal role in leading the Spurs to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2014 . He posted averages of 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game . The Spurs managed his minutes carefully, with occasional injury management days and rest when needed . He also dealt with minor setbacks, including a hyperextended left knee in December 2025 and a calf strain in November 2025, but MRI results showed no ligament damage in the knee, and he was listed as day-to-day . Wembanyama also suffered a concussion in April 2026 but recovered in time for the playoffs .
What Deep Vein Thrombosis Means for Athletes
DVT is treated with blood-thinning medications that make athletes more susceptible to bruising and bleeding . Doctors must determine whether the clot was provoked or unprovoked, as this dictates long-term treatment and prognosis . A provoked clot, caused by compression from a rib or muscle, is generally considered less concerning than an unprovoked one that might indicate a genetic issue . Dr. Geoffrey Barnes, an associate professor of cardiology and vascular medicine at the University of Michigan, noted that any time an athlete has an upper extremity blood clot, doctors need to ask why it happened to determine appropriate treatment .
The Larger Context of the Spurs’ Challenging Season
Wembanyama’s diagnosis came just months after Spurs coach Gregg Popovich suffered a stroke in early November 2024, forcing him to take a leave from the sideline . The team faced significant adversity, with both the coach and its franchise cornerstone sidelined. Veterans like Chris Paul, who signed with San Antonio to play alongside Wembanyama, expressed the difficulty of the situation. “You can’t replace Vic,” Paul said. “Aside from his basketball ability, his charisma and what he brings into the locker room, I think, is what we’ll miss the most” . Kevin Durant also offered words of support. “Somebody like that who has a strong mind, strong will to go out there and recover and get better… I’m looking forward to seeing him back out there” .
The Importance of Ongoing Vigilance
While Wembanyama has successfully returned to the court, the condition requires continued monitoring. He has been careful not to expand on his medical record publicly, telling reporters in April 2025, “I’m not going to expand on my medical record. I’m over this problem” . He acknowledged that the diagnosis was not easy to process but expressed confidence in the medical staff and the recovery process. “There are definitely steps for me to reach. At the time, I definitely didn’t know [the extent of the condition]. But looking back I did feel a certain way. I wasn’t in the best shape ever at the All-Star Game,” he admitted .
Victor Wembanyama has already faced a medical challenge that most NBA players never encounter. He took the Spurs to the NBA Finals in his third season and will enter 2026-27 as one of the most physically dominant players in the world. His handling of the injury scare and his subsequent recovery demonstrate a maturity beyond his years. As Chris Bosh wisely advised, staying disciplined with his health regimen will be key to preventing a recurrence.1. What is deep vein thrombosis and why did it end Victor Wembanyama’s season?
Deep vein thrombosis is a condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein, in Wembanyama’s case his right shoulder. The primary danger is that the clot could break loose and travel to the lungs, which can be life-threatening. The San Antonio Spurs shut him down immediately in February 2025 to prioritize his long-term health and prevent any potentially fatal complications.
2. Has Victor Wembanyama fully recovered from his blood clot?
Yes. On July 14, 2025, Wembanyama announced he was officially cleared by the Spurs’ medical staff to return to basketball activities. He successfully played 64 games during the 2025-26 season and led San Antonio to the NBA Finals. The Spurs have stated the blood clot is “officially behind him,” though he must remain vigilant with his health regimen.
3. What did Chris Bosh say to Victor Wembanyama about the blood clot?
Chris Bosh, whose NBA career ended due to recurring blood clots, warned Wembanyama to take his condition seriously. Bosh advised him to “take your medicine” and “stay on top of his regimen to make sure that doesn’t happen again because it only takes one more time.” Bosh experienced the condition twice, and the second occurrence forced his retirement in 2016.
4. How did the Spurs manage Wembanyama’s return after the injury?
The Spurs implemented a cautious approach, including minutes restrictions and occasional rest days during the 2025-26 season. They also monitored him closely for minor setbacks like a calf strain and knee hyperextension. Head coach Gregg Popovich’s staff prioritized long-term durability over short-term gain, ensuring Wembanyama remained healthy for the playoffs.
5. When did Victor Wembanyama first notice something was wrong with his shoulder?
Wembanyama first felt discomfort in his shoulder after returning from the 2025 NBA All-Star Game in San Francisco. He told reporters his arm “didn’t feel completely normal,” which prompted the Spurs’ medical staff to run tests. The diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis was confirmed shortly after, leading to his immediate shutdown for the remainder of the season.
