Victor Wembanyama is one of the bright stars in the NBA, but his sophomore season was cut short last year.
The San Antonio Spurs center was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder during the second half of the 2024-25 season — an injury that forced the team to shut him down. Wembanyama, who won Rookie of the Year in 2023-24, had taken another step toward stardom in his second season before the setback occurred.
Wembanyama, who played in the preseason, will return to an NBA court on Wednesday night for his first regular-season game since the injury. The center made his first All-Star appearance last year and will look to develop even more in his third season in the league.
While Wembanyama is now healthy, his rehab took time to ensure he would no longer have to deal with the blood clot. Here’s a timeline of Wembanyama’s battle with the injury.
MORE: How long did Gregg Popovich coach the Spurs?
Victor Wembanyama health timeline
February 20, 2025:
The Spurs announced that Wembanyama would miss the rest of the season after doctors discovered deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. The center had attended the All-Star Game earlier in the month and complained about discomfort in his shoulder upon returning.
“The medical experts and the people that are smarter than everybody in the room have said and confirmed that he’ll be done this year, and there is no concern for Victor’s long-term health, personally or in relation to his basketball activities,” interim head coach Mitch Johnson said at the time. “There is no reason to believe he won’t be ready to go starting next season.”
March 7, 2025: Wembanyama travels with the team after doctors say it is safe for him to fly, the first time he is able to join San Antonio on a road trip since the injury.
“He wants to be with his teammates as much as possible. So, I think we’ll see him as much as they’ll allow him,” Johnson said. “Being away [was] taking a toll on him. He’s had a lot of time on his hands that I don’t think he’s ever had before. So, it’s good to have him around.”
April 13, 2025: Wembanyama spoke to the media for the fist time since the injury, saying that that he has progressed to light weightlifting in his rehab, an important step considering the injury is in his right shoulder.
“We’re taking our time and I’m neither late or early [in recovery], but it’s a process and there are definitely steps for me to reach.” Wembanyama said, via ESPN. “I think I did and I’m still doing the best we can do, taking care of my body and trusting the incredible work of the medical staff. I’m sure it’s something I’m going to use to grow and be better.”
July 14, 2025: Wembanyama is cleared by medical staff to return to the court almost five months after he was shut down.
“It just happened,” Wembanyama told L’Équipe, via ESPN. “I got the green light from the Spurs’ medical staff just [on Friday]. Phew, I’ll finally be able to play a bit of basketball again.”
September 29, 2025: At Spurs media day, Wembanyama confirmed that he’d been playing basketball all summer and was ready to return to an NBA court for the preseason and regular season.
“There’s only so many steps that I’m going to pass in the summer,” he said, via The Athletic. “I’m only going to get so much better, and I think I’ve maxed out what I can do in one summer. And now I need to play basketball and work on my skills and as a team tactically.”
October 8, 2025: Wembanyama plays in a preseason game against the Miami Heat, the first time he played in an NBA game since the blood clot.
MORE: How first-round pickj Dylan Harper fits with Victor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama stats
YearGamesMPGPPGRPGAPGSPGBPGFG%3P%FT%2023-247129.721.410.63.91.23.6*46.5%32.5%79.6%2024-254633.224.311.03.71.13.8*47.6%35.2%83.6%
*League lead*
MORE: Which NBA teams have won the most championships?
