SAN ANTONIO Spurs star center Victor Wembanyama has been ruled out for the rest of the NBA season after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
The Spurs said that the 21-year-old Wembanyama was diagnosed with the blood clot after he returned to San Antonio following last Sunday’s All-Star game in San Francisco, California.
“Wembanyama is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024-25 regular season,” the Spurs said in a statement on Thursday (Friday in the Philippines). “The team will provide updates as appropriate.”
The development has prematurely ended another outstanding season for Wembanyama, who earned Rookie of the Year honors last season after being taken first overall in the 2023 NBA draft.
The 7-foot-3 NBA All-Star first timer was averaging 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and a league-best 3.8 blocks in 46 games for the Spurs this season.
Before the NBA season, Wembanyama helped France capture the silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they fell to the United States of America squad in the final.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. was suspended 25 games without pay by the NBA on Thursday (Friday in the Philippines) for violating the league’s anti-drug policy.
The 30-year-old Portis was slapped with the lengthy suspension after being tested positive for the drug Tramadol, a medication used to treat severe pain among adults.
“I was dealing with an elbow injury and using an NBA-approved medication for pain and inflammation,” Portis said. “During that time, I made an honest mistake and took a pain-reducing anti-inflammatory pill that is not approved. I feel horrible and recognize that I’m responsible for what I put in my body.
“From the bottom of my heart, I want to apologize to the Bucks organization, my teammates, coaches, family, and fans. I give everything I have on the court and will terribly miss playing games for the Bucks during this time. I will continue to work hard and be ready for our long playoff run. Thank you for your support. I appreciate it more than you know,” he added./PN
