Spurs' Wembanyama provides significant injury update

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama. Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Spurs' Victor Wembanyama provides significant injury update

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Apr 13, 2025 7:09 PM ET

Victor Wembanyama spoke with the media for the first time on Sunday since he was ruled out for the rest of the season with a blood clot in his right shoulder in February.

The San Antonio Spurs center didn't delve into the specifics of his recovery but provided an encouraging update.

"I'm able to do like hard work like hard lifting and also basketball work," Wembanyama said, per Don Harris of WOAI-TV in San Antonio. "It's all very controlled and light. Sometimes I feel like I would like to do more. It's a logical, medical direction, so I trust the process and trust the medical staff."

For the first time since undergoing surgery to address his DVT (blood clot) Victor Wembanyama met with reporters today. An Update on his progress here. pic.twitter.com/fwWGfB1mB6
— Don Harris (@DonHarris4) April 13, 2025

Wembanyama, 21, added he hasn't been cleared for contact yet and didn't clarify when he will be.

Wembanyama's comments seemingly reflect those of acting coach Mitch Johnson, who didn't seem too concerned about his star's injury.

"Everything we've said about [Wembanyama's recovery] has been consistent," Johnson said after the All-Star break in February, via ESPN's Michael C. Wright. "He'll be ready to go by camp next year. Things are going well. I know it's not the hot news, but it's good news."

Their comments suggest Wembanyama's injury isn't career-threatening, which is huge for the Spurs.

After winning 2023-24 Rookie of the Year, the French big man continued to cement himself as a budding star. In 46 games this season, the 7-foot-3, 235-pounder averaged 24.3 points per game, 11 rebounds per game and 3.8 blocks per game.

Although Wembanyama nearly missed half the season, he will still finish with the most blocked shots (176) in the regular season. Entering the regular season's final day on Sunday, Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez ranked second in the league in blocks with 148 in 80 games.

The Spurs (34-48) haven't made the playoffs since the 2018-19 season. If Wembanyama suffers no setbacks during rehab, that would help San Antonio snap its drought.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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