DHJ Quick Take
- Injury Diagnosis: San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama has officially entered the NBA’s concussion protocol following an injury sustained in Game 2.
- Availability Concerns: According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Wembanyama’s status for the upcoming Game 3 against the Portland Trail Blazers is currently “uncertain.”
- Series Context: The diagnosis comes at a critical juncture as the Spurs prepare for a pivotal matchup in their ongoing series against Portland.
San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama suffered a concussion in Game 2 against the Portland Trail Blazers and his status for Game 3 is “uncertain,” according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
Wembanyama is in concussion protocol.
Under the NBA’s concussion protocol guidelines, a player can’t return to full participation for 48 hours after the time of the injury, but he can resume gradual activity after 24 hours as long as symptoms don’t worsen. The player must hit multiple benchmarks while being symptom-free before he is cleared to play. He will then require clearance from a team doctor in consultation with the league protocol director.
Game 3 between the Spurs and Blazers is on Friday, April 24, in Portland.
“I just know he has a concussion and he’s in the protocol,” Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said after the Game 2 loss. “We’ll obviously take the proper and appropriate steps.”
Wembanyama had five points and four rebounds before suffering his concussion. He left the arena before the conclusion of Game 2, according to a Spurs spokesperson.
In Game 1, Wembanyama put up 35 points, five rebounds and two blocks in his playoff debut. The All-Star won the 2025-26 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award. He’s the first player in NBA history to unanimously win Defensive Player of the Year. Wembanyama is also the youngest player to win the award.
During the regular season, Wembanyama appeared in 64 games. He averaged 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 51.2% from the field, 34.9% from beyond the arc and 82.7% from the free-throw line and led the NBA in blocks per game and total blocks.
If Wembanyama can’t play in Game 3, the Spurs could be in trouble.
“We’re hoping for the best, but I haven’t heard anything,” Keldon Johnson said after Game 2. “Obviously, it’s a big hit that we don’t have the big fellow, but we’re a good team and we’ll continue to stay together, have each other’s back and do what got us here.”
Added Stephon Castle: “We’ve played tough games without him. Obviously, we want everybody healthy and to have him on the court, but whatever five guys are on the court, we’re going to play like ourselves.”
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