STWF Sports | SAN ANTONIO | Dec. 14, 2025 — Before Victor Wembanyama stepped onto the floor Saturday night to help lift the San Antonio Spurs into the NBA Cup Final, the 21-year-old phenom reflected on the moment his basketball world nearly stopped. In a powerful and emotional sit-down with ESPN, Wembanyama opened up for the first time about a frightening medical diagnosis that derailed his rookie season: a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his shoulder — a rare and serious form of blood clotting. And the revelation changed him forever.
“Five Minutes of Total Breakdown”
Wembanyama was in the middle of what looked like a Rookie of the Year–caliber rise last February when team doctors delivered news that left him shaken.
“I remember clearly… it’s going to be one year soon since I learned,” Wembanyama said. “It was five minutes of total breakdown, probably. Obviously, crying and sadness and feeling the fragility of life and health.”
The Spurs immediately shut down his season, prioritizing the long-term wellbeing of their generational cornerstone. For Wembanyama, basketball instantly felt insignificant.
“I wasn’t thinking about basketball,” he admitted. “At a time like this, where you have to take measures quickly, you unfortunately have to make choices… I needed time to find myself again and then to get better.”
The diagnosis and recovery reshaped his outlook.
“It’s the best example that life is short, career is short. It can end just like this,” he said, snapping his fingers. “There’s no time to waste.”
Back Stronger — and Dominant
After successful treatment and a summer of rebuilding physically and mentally, Wembanyama returned reinvigorated. Before suffering a calf injury this season, the 7-foot-4 star averaged 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks in his first 12 games — numbers that reaffirmed his status as the league’s most unique two-way force.
He missed 12 games leading into Saturday’s semifinal, but his return could not have been more perfectly timed.
Spurs Shock League-Leading Thunder
Against the defending NBA Cup champion Oklahoma City Thunder — a team riding a historic 16-game win streak — Wembanyama came off the bench for the first time in his career and delivered.
In just 21 minutes, he poured in 22 points, helping the Spurs outlast OKC 111–109 in a thriller.
“It’s our first time playing with everybody healthy,” Wembanyama said. “We were already a solid team 20 games ago… We’re just figuring it out.”
He praised the Thunder but emphasized the significance of San Antonio’s growth.
“This OKC team… they’re way ahead of everybody. But we’re learning what it takes to win. This is our next step.”
Thunder Respond: “Losing Helps You Grow”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has helped elevate the Thunder into a powerhouse, wasn’t discouraged by the loss.
“Personally, I think it’s exciting,” SGA said. “It’s easier to learn when you don’t feel the way you want to feel… Losing is where you find growth.”
He noted the two teams will meet twice more in the next five games, calling it “an automatic test… like in school.”
A New Perspective, A New Mission
For Wembanyama, Saturday’s win was more than a statement — it was a reminder of how close he came to losing the opportunity to play at all.
“What happened to me will be the motor for the rest of my career,” he said. “There’s no time to waste.”
Now, the Spurs are one win away from the NBA Cup title. And their young superstar, once overwhelmed by fear for his future, is now energized by a renewed sense of purpose.
A near-career-altering scare gave Wembanyama perspective.
His talent might give San Antonio a trophy.
