Bad news for the San Antonio Spurs who lost Victor Wembanyama after just 12 minutes in Game 2 against the Portland Trail Blazers due to a concussion. The MVP candidate was placed in the NBA concussion protocol and ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Here’s what head coach Mitch Johnson had to say:
We only know it’s a concussion and that he’s in the protocol. We’ll follow all the necessary steps
Mitch Johnson
According to NBA guidelines, a player cannot return to full activity for at least 48 hours after the injury. After the first 24 hours, they can begin gradual activity only if symptoms don’t worsen, and must then clear multiple steps without setbacks before receiving final clearance, which also requires approval from the team physician in consultation with the league’s protocol director. Game 3 is scheduled for Friday in Portland.
The incident occurred with 8:57 left in the second quarter: Wembanyama was attacking the rim with Jrue Holiday defending when he fell hard, landing chin-first on the floor and briefly losing consciousness.
The Spurs big man remained seated under the basket for several minutes as the Frost Bank Center crowd chanted “Wemby.” He eventually got up and headed to the locker room with the team’s athletic trainer.
I was just making sure he was okay. The fact that he walked off under his own power is a positive sign
Stephon Castle
The 2004-born star is coming off a remarkable season: at 22 years old, he became the youngest Defensive Player of the Year in NBA history, winning the award unanimously. In the regular season, he averaged 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 3.1 blocks, becoming the only player to surpass 1,500 points, 700 rebounds, 150 blocks, and 50 steals.
In Game 1, won by the Spurs 111-98, he had dominated with 35 points. San Antonio had also won all three regular-season matchups against Portland, although Wembanyama was not available in any of them.
We’ve already played tough games without him. We all want to be at full strength, but whoever steps on the floor in Game 3 will play our way
Stephon Castle
The Spurs are now awaiting updates, hoping to see Wembanyama back on the court soon. Game 3 is right around the corner and the series is wide open: it will take a team response, with or without the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year.
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