Image Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

What is deep vein thrombosis and how long could Victor Wembanyama be sidelined?

The San Antonio Spurs were dealt a major blow as their star player Victor Wembanyama is ruled out for the season, with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.

Image Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

The San Antonio Spurs were dealt a major blow as their star player Victor Wembanyama is ruled out for the season. The injury was detected after his return to San Antonio following the All-Star game. Let’s learn more about deep vein thrombosis and Wembanyama’s return timeline.

What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?

Deep Vein Thrombosis is a medical condition where a “blood clot” is formed in a certain area. The condition mostly appears in deep veins of the lower extremities like, calf veins, veins near thighs and knee and pelvis region.

However, when Deep Veins Thrombosis occurs in the upper body, it’s called Upper Extremity Deep Veins Thrombosis. This condition can also occur from repetitive overhead movements and basketball players are no immune to it.

Frequent movements like shooting, rebounding and blocking which require extreme overhead movements may have triggered the injury.

How long could Victor Wembanyama be sidelined?

The Spurs star faces a major disappointment after being ruled out for the season with a deep vein thrombosis. The injury is critical and requires a successful rehab which takes around six months or more depending on the individual.

As per Brian Windhorst, multiple players such as Ausar Thompson and Brandon Ingram have also suffered with blood clot injuries and have taken six or more months to recover completely. “It does basically shut you down for six months.” said Brian Windhorst when asked about the return timeline.

"It does basically shut you down for six months."@WindhorstESPN on how Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs are approaching Wembanyama having deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. pic.twitter.com/5fkAiiMoPj
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 20, 2025

He also believes that it could be a major concern if the cause is not detected it could become career threatening as in the case of Chris Bosh.

NBA 2024-25

San Antonio Spurs

Victor Wembanyama

Suryansh Kumar

NBA/WNBA Writer

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Hello, my name is Suryansh, and I write NBA/WNBA content for ThePlayoffs. I love sports, which is why I write and I love the NBA because of the stats. My aim is to find unique stats and perspectives to provide my readers with another angle on sports.