Spurs' Victor Wembanyama Cleared To Return After Blood Clot

Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs' French superstar and first overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, has been officially cleared to return to the court after a blood clot in his right shoulder ended his 2024-25 season prematurely. Diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis after his first All-Star game, Wembanyama was sidelined for over five months, during which the Spurs struggled to a 34-48 record. Before the injury, he was averaging 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and an NBA-leading 3.8 blocks per game, positioning him as a strong Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Despite his return, Wembanyama will miss EuroBasket 2025, impacting France's chances in the tournament. With the Spurs having also added promising talent Dylan Harper through the draft, the team looks poised to compete for a playoff spot with Wembanyama anchoring their strong young core. His recovery marks a significant positive development for both the Spurs and the NBA's defensive landscape.