The front page of the French sports newspaper L’Equipe featured a photo of Victor Wembanyama on Friday, showing the San Antonio star gazing down with his hands on his hips. The headline, “Coup D’Arret,” meaning Knockout Blow, was prominently displayed in white letters. Unfortunately, Wembanyama’s season has been halted due to a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, causing a blood clot. The Spurs, in consultation with their medical team, have decided that Wembanyama will not play for the rest of the season. However, there is hope as the doctors believe that this health issue is not career-threatening. Acting Spurs coach Mitch Johnson expressed Wembanyama’s love for the game and his desire to be with his teammates to finish the season.
Although specific details about Wembanyama’s health have not been disclosed publicly, the Spurs remain optimistic about his full recovery. The location of the clot in Wembanyama’s upper body offers hope for a quicker return to the court after treatment. Doctors will investigate the cause of the clot and determine the best course of action for his recovery. Teammates and players around the league have expressed their support and well wishes for Wembanyama’s health and future in the game.
The Spurs have faced significant health challenges this season, with both coach Gregg Popovich and Wembanyama dealing with medical issues. Despite setbacks, the team continues to push forward with determination to secure a spot in the play-in tournament. Wembanyama’s impressive performance this season has garnered recognition for his defensive skills and potential accolades in the league. The basketball community stands in solidarity with Wembanyama as he focuses on his recovery and return to the court.
He’s got that makeup. And I can’t wait to see him back out there. Many athletes have faced clotting issues in the past, and it’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all problem. Serena Williams returned to dominate women’s tennis after a clotting issue post the birth of her daughter, requiring four surgeries to address it. Chris Bosh had to retire from basketball after being diagnosed with clots. In hockey, Tomas Fleischmann developed clots but continued to play for years; whereas Tomas Vokoun needed surgery for his clotting problem and never played in the NHL again. The earliest chance for Wembanyama to return to real game action may be in August, potentially joining France for the European championships, one of the biggest tournaments globally. Wembanyama expressed his strong connection to wearing his country’s uniform last summer during the Paris Olympics, making it likely that he would seriously consider participating if medically cleared to do so. Boris Diaw, a former player for San Antonio and currently leading the French basketball federation, refrains from speculating on EuroBasket, indicating that such discussions are reserved for the future. “This is absolutely not the time to project ourselves on this kind of question,” Diaw conveyed to French reporters, as reported by L’Equipe. “I especially hope he’s well. It’s never easy to be sidelined for an extended period, missing numerous games. I understand how much he loves playing. Being away from the courts for so long… I can imagine it will be tough for him.” ___ AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
