Wembanyama Travels with Spurs Despite Shoulder Injury, Prioritizes Team Bonding
Despite being sidelined due to a medical condition, San Antonio Spurs rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama has been traveling with the team, demonstrating his commitment to staying connected with his teammates. Acting Spurs coach Mitch Johnson emphasized that there was no health risk in Wembanyama joining the team on the road.
“There was no health risk or reasons for him not to come,” Johnson said in his pre-game media session. “He wants to be with his teammates as much as possible, so I think we’ll see him as much as they [the medical staff] will allow us to or they’ll allow him to.”
Wembanyama’s condition, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right shoulder, was diagnosed on Feb. 20 after he returned to San Antonio following the All-Star Game in San Francisco. The Spurs have been cautious in managing the ailment, though they have assured fans that the condition is not expected to impact his long-term health or future basketball activities. However, the organization has refrained from disclosing specific details about his treatment, stating they “would provide updates as appropriate.”
Wembanyama has remained engaged with the team, attending home games against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Brooklyn Nets before making his first road appearance since his diagnosis at Friday’s matchup in Sacramento. Despite being sidelined, his presence has been significant for both himself and his teammates.
“Being away from them has taken a toll on him,” Johnson added. “He’s had a lot of time on his hands I don’t think he has ever had before, so it’s good to have him around.”
While it remains uncertain if Wembanyama will accompany the team to Minneapolis for Sunday’s game against the Timberwolves, his commitment to supporting his teammates is evident.
“What he’s going through is definitely tough, but for us, we just want him to be healthy,” De’Aaron Fox said ahead of Friday’s game. “We want him to be healthy enough to be able to get on a plane and to be able to support us as a team. And that’s what he wants to do anyway. Blood clots could be a dangerous thing, for sure.”
As Wembanyama continues his recovery, his presence on the bench serves as a reminder of his dedication to the team. While the Spurs have not provided a timeline for his return, they remain optimistic about his long-term outlook.
