On Thursday, numerous NBA fans and sports media figures flocked to social media to express their support for San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama, who has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder and will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season. Following Shams Charania’s report on Wembanyama’s condition, prominent fantasy sports doctor Jesse Morse highlighted the potential link to the COVID-19 vaccine.
That’s a blood clot…
How much do you want to bet he received the COVID vaccine? https://t.co/SPuWvaSZK2
— Jesse Morse, M.D. (@DrJesseMorse) February 20, 2025
Morse further supported his opinion with follow-up posts comparing the incidence of thrombosis linked to the COVID-19 vaccine versus other vaccines, emphasizing a significant uptick in cases.
Unfortunately, COVID vaccines show a massive spike in blood clots.
The relationship between the COVID-19 vaccine and thrombosis has been a subject of significant investigation, particularly concerning adenovirus-vectored vaccines such as ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AstraZeneca) and… pic.twitter.com/On43PPdveB
— Jesse Morse, M.D. (@DrJesseMorse) February 20, 2025
While Morse’s medical qualifications lend credibility to his claims, he overlooks various critical factors, such as Wembanyama’s family history with blood clots, which may heighten his risk despite being a professional athlete in peak condition. Additionally, taller individuals face an increased risk for venous thromboembolism.
To solely attribute Wembanyama’s condition to the COVID-19 vaccine without a thorough understanding of his medical history can be considered irresponsible. This viewpoint drew criticism from many, including Kent Weyrauch of Fantasy Pros, who shared a National Library of Medicine article indicating that contracting the COVID-19 virus poses a higher risk of blood clots than receiving the vaccine.
https://t.co/9myCP3TKkR https://t.co/5ZIKXJlvv0 pic.twitter.com/ggBldTf5VB
— Kent Weyrauch (@KentWeyrauch) February 20, 2025
Anthony Doyle, a former Toronto Raptors beat writer, expressed his frustration with arguments against the vaccine, stating, “I hate this stupid ass talking point. Blood clots are a side effect of COVID. Vaccine deniers have latched onto them because they know blood clot rates are up because of repeated COVID infections.”
I hate this stupid ass talking point.
Blood clots are a side effect of COVID. Vaccine deniers have latched onto them because they know blood clot rates are up because of repeated COVID infections. https://t.co/B8PqUxEp5h
— Anthony Doyle🍉 (@Anthonysmdoyle) February 20, 2025
Regardless of the true cause of Wembanyama’s blood clot, it is hoped that this won’t lead to long-term health issues impacting him beyond this season. In 2015, former Miami Heat star Chris Bosh was forced to retire at just 31 after suffering a blood clot in one of his lungs.
