Victor Wembanyama has been dominated out for the remainder of the season as a consequence of deep vein thrombosis in his proper shoulder. Wembanyama is recent off his first All-Star look and was within the operating to win Defensive Participant of the 12 months.
“Victor Wembanyama got here again from the All-Star sport this previous weekend in San Francisco, and he was identified with a type of a blood clot,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported. “It is known as a deep vein thrombosis in his proper shoulder, and he’s out for the season. The Spurs, proper now, consider that is an remoted situation…The hope, clearly, is that there isn’t any unfold, that there is nothing extra right here.”
With Wembanyama sidelined, his touches, shot makes an attempt and minutes shall be re-distributed among the many present squad. Stephon Fortress, currently leading the Rookie of the Year race, ought to be among the many frontrunners for a bump in taking part in time and general utilization.
Fortress, 20, lacks Wembanyama’s rim safety and shot-blocking capability. Nonetheless, the remainder of this season will seemingly be centered on participant growth with out their star massive man within the rotation. Fortress already initiatives to be an important a part of the Spurs’ future, particularly if he can kind a partnership with De’Aaron Fox.
In 51 video games this season, Fortress is averaging 12.9 factors, 2.8 rebounds and three.5 assists. He is capturing 42% from the sector. Nonetheless, his 28.9% three-point capturing is an obvious weak spot. Fortress will seemingly obtain a inexperienced mild to work via his errors over the approaching weeks and months.
With out Wembanyama, Chris Paul, identified for growing younger expertise, might deal with serving to Fortress enhance his sport. The strategy might additionally shift to characteristic the younger guard on offense whereas placing him in sink-or-swim moments on protection.
Shedding Wembanyama is a tricky blow for the Spurs, though they had been unlikely to push for the postseason this yr anyway. With certainly one of their highest-usage stars out of the rotation, Fortress has a super second to make his growth earlier than heading into the offseason and dealing together with his trainers.
San Antonio might look far more harmful subsequent season, and a part of that could be as a result of Wembanyama’s season was abruptly reduce quick.
