Victor Wembanyama has a concussion after slamming face-first to court in loss
NBC News • • sports
Key Points:
- San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was placed in the NBA concussion protocol after a face-first fall during Tuesday's playoff loss to Portland, raising concerns about his availability for upcoming games.
- Wembanyama suffered the injury in the second quarter after a collision with Jrue Holiday, and he left the game after a brief on-court assessment; he had contributed five points and four rebounds in 12 minutes before exiting.
- The NBA concussion protocol requires a minimum 48-hour rest and symptom-free neurological testing before clearance, making Wembanyama's return for Game 3 on Friday unlikely.
- Spurs coach Mitch Johnson emphasized following protocol and planning accordingly, while teammates acknowledged the challenge of filling Wembanyama's significant role during his absence.
- Wembanyama, the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, has been instrumental to the Spurs' success this season, averaging 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game.
