Fans were already disappointed that they wouldn’t witness what could be an iconic clash between Victor Wembanyama and the NBA great Kevin Durant in a key Feb. 20 matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns. Wembanyama was listed as doubtful due to an unspecified illness.
But now the Spurs have dropped a shocker, announcing that the star sophomore has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. This condition, a serious blood clot issue, means he won’t be playing for the rest of the season. Veteran point guard Chris Paul weighed in on the situation and shared his thoughts on what it means for the team.
Chris Paul Calls Victor Wembanyama’s Absence a ‘Key’ Loss
Paul, the legendary point guard for the Spurs, knows it’s a challenge to find a replacement for someone like Wembanyama, and it’s certainly going to impact their team dynamics.
“First and foremost, basketball is what we do, not who we are,” Paul said. “Life and everything else is more important. But losing a key part of our team like Vic is something we have to figure out together. And trust me, you can’t replace him. It’s not just his talent — it’s his energy, his presence in the locker room. That’s what we’ll miss the most.”
However, he also believes that with Wembanyama out they still have to step up and do their best to stay competitive in the league. Paul emphasized that the team must remain focused on their responsibilities while also looking out for each other during this difficult time.
“It has been extremely tough, to say the least, Pual added. “Especially with this organization and how they put everything into perspective, obviously it’s a pop situation, knowing what it means to believe in Vic, you know, him playing his first All-Star Game, I think for us, you know, we have a job to do, and just like anybody, we worry about our people.”
Paul, 39, certainly knows how big of a blow this is for the Spurs. Wembanyama was leading the team with 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks per game. He was also a frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year. But under the NBA’s new rule, players must play at least 65 games to be eligible for postseason awards. With Wembanyama missing the final 25 games, his shot at the honor is gone (46 games played).
The Spurs revealed that doctors discovered the issue soon after Wembanyama returned from the All-Star Game in San Francisco. The news hit hard, especially since the 20-year-old was having a historic sophomore season. The No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft had already locked in an All-Star nod and was even making a strong case for an All-NBA spot.
What Does Wembanyama’s Exit Mean for the Spurs?
The Spurs have to rethink their strategy given that Wembanyama is sidelined for the 2024-25 season. Coach Gregg Popovich will likely experiment with different lineups, probably giving the young core, led by Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, and Keldon Johnson, more chances to play. Likewise, Harrison Barnes and Sandro Mamukelashvili might have to step up to fill the void in the paint.
One area where the Spurs are bound to face challenges is rim protection. Wembanyama was phenomenal at the rim with his elite shot-blocking and defensive instincts. Without him, the Spurs will have to rely more on team defense. Losing Wembanyama is a crushing blow for the Spurs, but it will also be a chance for young guns like Stephon Castle to step up and prove their worth.
