San Antonio Spurs standout Victor Wembanyama has been entered into the NBA’s concussion protocol following a heavy fall directly onto his face during the team’s defeat to Portland on Tuesday evening. The incident occurred in a playoff matchup that ended 106-103, leveling the Western Conference first-round series at one win each. Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson confirmed the diagnosis post-game, stating, ‘He has a concussion and is now in the protocol. We will follow all necessary procedures.’ A prolonged absence for Wembanyama could significantly impact the Spurs, who secured the league’s second-strongest record this season, largely thanks to their 7-foot-4 center, recently named NBA Defensive Player of the Year. According to NBA rules, players in the protocol require a minimum 48-hour rest period, followed by symptom-free achievement of specific milestones. This includes neurological evaluations and approval from both the team physician and the league’s concussion director. The next game is set for Friday in Portland. While it’s unlikely Wembanyama will be ready, Johnson avoided predictions, noting, ‘The protocol is standard, and we’ll adhere to it like any team, adjusting as needed.’ During the regular season, the Spurs recorded a 12-6 mark in games without Wembanyama. Spurs guard Devin Vassell commented, ‘Everyone needs to elevate their performance. We understand Vic’s contributions. We’ve managed without him before. It’s about the next player stepping in. That’s a major gap to cover, but we can’t dwell on it.’ The injury happened when Wembanyama was fouled by Jrue Holiday after maneuvering past the Trail Blazers guard near the basket. Unable to cushion his landing, his jaw struck the floor with 8:57 left in the second quarter. He stayed down for roughly 30 seconds, then sat up and conversed with teammate Stephon Castle for about a minute. Johnson used a timeout to assess him, after which Wembanyama headed straight to the locker room. Veteran Luke Kornet stepped in at center for the second half, contributing 10 points and nine rebounds over 28 minutes. Trail Blazers coach Tiago Splitter described the moment as alarming, saying, ‘It looked bad from the replays. With him sidelined, Kornet performed exceptionally. We need to adapt our strategy against him.’ This marks San Antonio’s first playoff appearance since 2019. They won the series opener against Portland, powered by Wembanyama’s 35 points. In his absence, the Spurs squandered a 14-point lead in the final quarter, their first such collapse in the playoffs since 2003 across 76 contests. Vassell mentioned he hadn’t spoken to Wembanyama right after the game but added, ‘We’ll reach out soon. Our thoughts are with him, hoping for a quick recovery.’ In other action that night, VJ Edgecombe tallied 30 points and 10 rebounds despite an early tumble, while Tyrese Maxey added 29 points as the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics 111-97, evening their series at 1-1. Elsewhere, LeBron James posted 28 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, helping the injury-hit Los Angeles Lakers secure a win over Houston for a surprising 2-0 series advantage.
