The San Antonio Spurs have announced that young star Victor Wembanyama will miss the rest of the season due to a deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. The injury, which is a blood clot, has significant implications for the team’s playoff hopes and betting markets.
Wembanyama had an impressive second season, averaging 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. His absence will likely have a major impact on the team’s chances of winning the Defensive Player of the Year award, as he was heavily favored at -2500 before the announcement. Jaren Jackson Jr. is now the new favorite to win DPOY at -120.
The injury also affects the Cooper Flagg betting market, with San Antonio’s odds shifting from +2200 to +1500. DraftKings Sportsbook Director Johnny Avello said that while the Spurs are still behind teams like the Pelicans and Hornets in the lottery odds, they could potentially land the No. 1 pick if they win the lottery.
The Spurs’ history suggests that a team with a generational talent like Cooper Flagg can rise to prominence. In 1996-97, the Spurs finished with a 20-62 record after losing David Robinson due to injury and went on to select Tim Duncan in the NBA Draft. This could potentially be San Antonio’s path to victory again.
However, it is still a long shot for the Spurs to land Flagg. They currently have a 3 percent chance at winning the lottery, compared to their 21.6 percent odds at that time last season. Still, fans and experts alike are excited about the prospect of Flagg teaming up with Wembanyama in the future, which could be a “Twin Towers 2.0” scenario.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6150159/2025/02/21/how-sportsbooks-reacted-to-victor-wembanyama-injury