Victor Wembanyama had words for the Portland Trail Blazers after the San Antonio Spurs defeated them in Game 3 on Friday to grab a 2-1 lead in this first-round playoff series.
The Spurs won 120-108 on the road as Wembanyama missed the game after picking up a concussion in Game 2. As San Antonio won Game 3, Wembanyama, who was on the bench wearing street clothes, directed a comment toward the Trail Blazers.
“Y’all would’ve been down 4-0,” he said.
Wembanyama led the Spurs to a victory in Game 1, finishing with 35 points, five rebounds and two blocks in a 111-98 win. San Antonio lost Game 2 106-103.
But the team bounced back in Game 3, as Stephon Castle set the tone on offense, finishing with 33 points and five assists, shooting 10-for-18, including 3-for-4 from 3-point range. Portland relied on Jrue Holiday, who finished with 29 points, six rebounds and five assists, shooting 12-for-18.
Wembanyama and Co. have limited Portland’s leading regular-season scorer, Deni Avdija. The All-Star forward is recording 21 ppg in the playoffs, shooting 40.8%, down from 46.2% in the regular season. Avdija went 3-for-15 from the field in Game 3 and 5-for-13 in Game 2.
Will Victor Wembanyama return for Game 4 against the Portland Trail Blazers?
According to the NBA’s concussion protocol, a player must stay out of basketball activities for a minimum of 48 hours and needs to clear multiple protocols before being eligible to return. According to sports medicine physician Dr. Jesse Morse, Wembanyama has a “very good chance” of returning to action in Game 4.
The next game will take place on Sunday, about five days after Wembanyama sustained a concussion. Moreover, his clearance to travel with the team indicates that his recovery is trending in the right direction. So, a Game 4 return appears possible for the Defensive Player of the Year.
Victor Wembanyama averaged 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.1 blocks per game this season, shooting 51.2%, including 34.9% from 3-point range.
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