French star and reigning NBA Rookie of the Yr Victor Wembanyama is predicted to overlook the remainder of the season with a blood clot in his proper shoulder, the San Antonio Spurs introduced Thursday.
The crew mentioned it found a deep vein thrombosis — a blood clot — upon Wembanyama’s return from All-Star weekend in San Francisco, and a crew supply mentioned he’s anticipated to make a full restoration for the beginning of subsequent season.
It’s a shocking and scary blow to the league’s fastest-rising star and his crew; gamers have been notified Thursday morning earlier than shootaround for a sport in Austin, Texas, in opposition to the Phoenix Suns.
“It’s been somewhat bit robust for everyone,” mentioned Spurs teammate and buddy Chris Paul, explaining the gamers’ reactions. “I feel for all of us, realizing how a lot he means to our crew, however extra so how a lot he means to the sport and the way a lot he likes to play. “
Wembanyama, 21, an All-Star for the primary time in solely his second NBA season, is averaging 24.3 factors, 11.0 rebounds and a league-best 3.8 blocks in 46 video games for San Antonio (23-29), which returns from the All-Star break trailing the Golden State Warriors by 3½ video games for the final spot within the Western Convention’s Play-In Event.
A possible postseason bid is the least of anybody’s considerations proper now. Clots, just like the one Wembanyama possible has, are brought on by the compression of veins attributable to repetitive stress on the higher arms, based on the Cleveland Clinic. Medicine and surgical procedure are the first therapies.
In 2019, then-Los Angeles Lakers ahead Brandon Ingram had surgical procedure to take away a blood clot from his proper shoulder.
Final season, Detroit Pistons ahead Ausar Thompson’s marketing campaign was reduce quick attributable to a blood clot. He returned this season close to the tip of November after eight months away from the court docket. In one other critical case, Chris Bosh was identified with clots in his left calf and lungs that pressured him into an early retirement.
The bodily stress on Wembanyama within the final month has been important, given the Spurs’ latest journey schedule. Final month, the crew flew to Paris, the place Wembanyama is from, for a busy, emotional week of two video games. After one other two weeks of play within the U.S., Wembanyama, a 7-foot-4 rim-protecting machine, flew to San Francisco to compete within the NBA’s abilities problem Saturday evening and the league’s first All-Star match Sunday.
Workforce sources seen Wembanyama laboring throughout play not too long ago and experiencing shortness of breath, initially regarded as brought on by congestion from allergy symptoms within the Texas air. However after Wembanyama skilled continued lethargy final weekend and through his two days off, he underwent testing that confirmed the blood clot.
The Spurs mentioned they would supply updates on Wembanyama’s situation as acceptable.
In one other matter that’s trivial within the grander scheme of his well being and profession longevity, Wembanyama’s season possible will finish at 46 video games, which suggests he won’t be eligible for any regular-season awards, together with NBA Defensive Participant of the Yr.
San Antonio’s bench is already with out legendary coach Gregg Popovich, who suffered a stroke in early November. Popovich, 76, continues to get better at residence, and as of final month, Spurs chief government R.C. Buford mentioned Popovich was anticipated to return to the bench sooner or later, although there was no timetable for such a return.
Paul mentioned the Spurs, who made an enormous commerce earlier this month to amass De’Aaron Fox, nonetheless intend to make a push for the playoffs, however acknowledged that dropping their coach, after which their finest participant, could be a tough problem for any crew to beat.
“Belief me you may’t substitute Vic,” mentioned Paul, a 6-foot guard. “I can’t stand on a man’s shoulder and block each shot that involves the rim.”
— The Athletic’s Sam Amick contributed to this report.
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(Photograph: G Fiume / Getty Photos)