San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama crashed his head into the floor in Game 2 against the Portland Trail Blazers. Wemby was fouled by Blazers guard Jrue Holiday as he spun to the basket but lost his balance. The MVP contender will need to clear the NBA’s concussion protocol before he can return.
For the newly minted Defensive Player of the Year winner to rejoin his team, here are the four hurdles he must overcome (via @Underdog).
- He is without concussion-related symptoms at rest.
- He has been evaluated by a physician with training and experience in the management of concussion.
- He has successfully completed the NBA return-to-participation process.
- A team physician has discussed the return-to-participation process and decision with the Director of the NBA Concussion Program.
According to the post on X:
“The average concussion recovery time is 7-10 days, and he must be out a minimum of 48 hours.”
Based on that timeline, Game 5 in San Antonio will be in seven days, while Game 7, if necessary, will be on the 10th day. There is a real possibility that Wembanyama could be out for the rest of the Spurs’ first-round series against the Blazers.
According to sports doctor Brian Sutterer, one “positive” sign in the incident was that Victor Wembanyama wasn’t knocked out immediately after hitting his head on the floor. However, the doctor was concerned that Wemby didn’t have his balance when he tried to get up.
Sutterer continued that historically, the NBA’s concussion protocol isn’t as rigorous as that of the NFL and soccer. Still, Wembanyama must meet non-negotiable requirements before he will be cleared to play.
Victor Wembanyama’s Absence Highlights MVP Contender’s Value To Spurs
The Spurs looked like they would survive Victor Wembanyama’s absence when they built a 14-point lead early in the fourth quarter.
However, Portland refused to cooperate. Behind Scoot Henderson, the Blazers steadily cut the Spurs’ advantage before outlasting the home team 106-103.
San Antonio couldn’t make a basket in the last three minutes, minus the often underrated impact of Wembanyama on offense.
When Victor Wembanyama is in the paint, opponents have to account for him. When he rolls to the basket, the defense collapses, giving De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and San Antonio’s perimeter players room to shoot. The Spurs struggled to get open from deep as Portland didn’t have to worry about Wemby dominating the interior with lobs and layups.
The Spurs, the NBA leaders in corner 3-pointers, couldn’t generate the same shots without Wemby. They attempted just four, their lowest this season by a mile.
The Spurs were 12-6 without the Frenchman this season, but the playoffs are a different story. Game 2 showed just how reliant they are on their generational superstar. San Antonio’s healthy players, led by De’Aaron Fox, must step up to give Wembanyama enough time for a potential return.
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