Image Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

San Antonio Spurs Clear Victor Wembanyama for Return to Basketball Activities

Wemby is all set to be back on the courts!

Image Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

The San Antonio Spurs have cleared Victor Wembanyama for return to professional basketball activities. Wembanyama’s previous season was cut short right after the NBA All-Star break due to a diagnosed blood clot in his right shoulder. He could appear in only 46 games for the Spurs, but was expected by the front office to be ready ahead of the September training camp. However, Wemby recovered way ahead of it, and is set to return to the court.

Wemby told French reporter Maxime Aubin of L’Equipe, “I’m officially cleared to resume. It’s fresh, I only got the approval from the Spurs medical staff a few hours ago.” The youngster added, “Phew, I’m finally going to be able to play a little basketball again! My injury was an adventure, obviously, but the hardest part is over. I’m much better today, physically and mentally.” Notably, in the 2024-25 season, Wembanyama averaged 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.8 blocks per game.

BREAKING: Spurs star Victor Wembanyama (deep vein thrombosis in the shoulder) says he has been fully cleared to play after missing the last third of the 2024/25 NBA season 🙏 pic.twitter.com/aWr7JblsYL
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) July 14, 2025

He took a total of 304 three-pointers in addition to blocking 176 shots, and became the only player other than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to finish a season with this stat line.

Victor Wembanyama Reflects on his Injury Layoff

The 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year reflected on his injury layoff and called it an experience that would help him in his future. Notably, during his recovery, Wemby took several trips and participated in a retreat at a Buddhist temple. Talking about his retreat, he was quoted by nypost as saying, “It was very hard. We discovered movements we had never done in our lives. It was more than 1,000 kicks a day, jumps, balance exercises, stretching.”

A favorite to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in the 2025-26 season, the Frenchman added, “I think my injury accelerated things. Even though I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, the reflections and questioning caused by such an injury can’t be bought. I think it’s an experience we’ll benefit from in the future. For next season, I hope we qualify for the playoffs.” It is to be noted that when the Spurs shut Wembanyama’s season, the Spurs were tallying 23-29. They ended up wrapping their season with a 34-48 record and missed the playoffs.

San Antonio Spurs

Victor Wembanyama

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.