Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs entered Game 2 against the Portland Trail Blazers with momentum and a chance to take a commanding 2-0 series lead. After a dominant Game 1 performance, Wembanyama was once again expected to lead the charge as San Antonio looked to tighten its grip on the series.
Instead, the night took a troubling turn midway through the second quarter. With 8:57 remaining, Wembanyama drove into the lane before losing balance and crashing face-first onto the hardwood following contact with Jrue Holiday.
His chin struck the floor hard, and he remained down momentarily, visibly dazed. He eventually made his way to the locker room but was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
The Spurs confirmed he had entered the NBA’s concussion protocol, with the team continuing to evaluate the severity of the injury. After the game, head coach Mitch Johnson confirmed to reporters that Wembanyama suffered a concussion, with further testing expected on Wednesday, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
According to Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports, the timeline for his return could extend across multiple games, potentially ruling him out for the rest of the series.
“The average NBA recovery time for a concussion is 7-10 days,” O’Connor wrote. “7 days would be Game 5. 10 days would be Game 7.”
The potential absence is a significant blow for San Antonio, which went on to lose Game 2 following his exit. Wembanyama has been central to the Spurs’ rise this season, leading the team to the No. 2 seed while averaging 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.1 blocks in 65 games.
He opened the series with a dominant Game 1 performance, recording 35 points, including five three-pointers, and appeared positioned for a standout postseason run. The injury also came shortly after he was presented with the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award on Tuesday night.
Game 3 is set for Friday, as the series shifts to Portland, with tip-off scheduled for 10:30 pm ET.
