The San Antonio Spurs announced Thursday that Victor Wembanyama will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. 

Wembanyama became an All-Star for the Spurs this season, averaging 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game.

Unfortunately, it’ll be a while until fans get to see him back on the court. After all, blood clots aren’t something to joke about. The former No. 1 pick will most likely take blood-thinning medication for an extended period of time.

Shortly after Wembanyama’s status was announced, fans started speculating about how his deep vein thrombosis came about. Dr. Jesse Morse, a certified sports medicine physician, fueled the rumors by making a bold claim on social media.

Dr. Morse suggested that Wembanyama’s condition is a result of him getting the COVID-19 vaccine. We’re not sure about superstar’s vaccination status, but that didn’t stop rumors from swirling online.

“That’s a blood clot…,” Dr. Morse wrote on X. “How much you want to make a bet he received the COVID vaccine?”

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 08: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on from the bench against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter in the game at Madison Square Garden on November 08, 2023 in New York City.
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Countless sports fans ripped Dr. Morse for making such a big assumption about Wembanyama’s health. Well, he wasted no time addressing his critics.

“Again, look at the writing on the wall. I’m looking at this from a medical perspective. You think I’m pushing a political agenda. This has NOTHING to do with politics,” he said.

“Most people don’t truly understand the long term ramifications that both Covid the virus and the vaccine have caused.

The ramifications will be permanent and ubiquitous. You might not want to believe it or hear it but if you understand the science, it’s the truth. It has to be at least discussed.

If not the differential diagnosis is incomplete. I’m not afraid to ask the questions that other people are.”

The only good news regarding Wembanyama is that he’s expected to be back on the court for the start of the 2025-26 season. At least that’s what Spurs acting head coach Mitch Johnson suggested on Thursday.

“The medical experts and the people that are smarter than everybody in the room have said and confirm that he’ll be done this year and there is no concern for Victor’s long-term health, personally, or anything related to his basketball activities,” Johnson said.

“There is no reason to believe he won’t be ready to go starting next season.”

We’re wishing Wembanyama a full and speedy recovery.