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Victor Wembanyama officially cleared to return from blood clot

Victor Wembanyama officially cleared to return from blood clot

NBA DraftKings Sportsbook Insights News

Published:

By: Keagan Smith

San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama was in the midst of an elite sophomore campaign last season before being abruptly shut down due to a blood clot. Now roughly five months removed from the issue, the young big man says the team informed him that he can officially return to the court.

Per a quote from Wembanyama published by L’Equipe, a sports outlet based in his home nation of France, the news came last Friday. It seems to be a relief for the 21-year-old, who said “I’ll finally be able to play a bit of basketball again.”

Wembanyama earned his first All-Star nod with 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game across 46 games. He also paced the NBA in blocks per game with 3.8 per contest while contributing 1.1 steals per outing as well, showcasing his elite defensive capabilities thanks to an otherworldly 7-foot-3 frame and 7-foot-10 wingspan.

The unexpected end to the young star’s season came as a major disappointment for a Spurs squad that finished the year with a 34-48 record. However, some luck in the NBA Draft Lottery allowed the team to select Dylan Harper with the No. 2 overall pick, adding another young talent to an already-impressive core.

With the star duo of Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox complimented by Devin Vassell, a handful of role players and some high-upside youth, San Antonio appears ready to compete for their first playoff appearance since 2019. DraftKings Sportsbook lists their win total at 42.5 with -135 odds to make the playoffs. They also sit +700 to win the Southwest Division — the second-best odds behind the Houston Rockets at -450.

With a fully-healthy Wembanyama entering his third NBA season, taking the Spurs to make some noise in 2025-26 feels like a very solid futures bet. The 21-year-old remains one of the best players in the league even at his young age and will only improve as time goes on. Between his continued improvement, the return of Fox after the guard’s own injury last season and the addition of talent this offseason, San Antonio looks like a force to watch heading into next season.

Keagan Smith
Keagan Smith
Keagan is a Texas-based editor and analyst who believes sports are the true eighth wonder of the world. After starting out in local media, he’s provided coverage for DraftKings Network since 2024. He gravitates toward football, hoops and hockey, but is happy to watch and write about any game that involves a ball or a puck. While his own athletic career ended in middle school, he’s also an avid fantasy player with a soft spot for dynasty formats, spending countless hours crafting the ever-elusive perfect squad.
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