Victor Wembanyama travelled with the San Antonio Spurs to Portland for video games this weekend whereas persevering with to finish the steps mandated by the league’s concussion protocol.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson stopped quick on Thursday of claiming Wembanyama will play in Recreation 3. Wembanyama is “progressing,” Johnson mentioned, however his standing in opposition to the Path Blazers stays unsure.
“He appears to be like good,” Johnson mentioned, noting that the Spurs hadn’t even began discussions on when Wembanyama can play once more.
The Spurs listed him as questionable to play Friday in Recreation 3.
Wembanyama was on the workforce’s observe facility for a second consecutive day Thursday, strolling round in a black hoodie and grey sweatpants. He even received a number of pictures up, teammate Julian Champagnie mentioned.
“He was solely round for slightly bit this morning,” Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox mentioned Thursday. “Clearly, we simply need him to be wholesome.”
Wembanyama — the league’s first-ever unanimous Defensive Participant of the Yr and considered one of three finalists for the Most Beneficial Participant award — suffered a concussion within the Spurs’ Recreation 2 loss to Portland on Tuesday night time, leaving the sport within the second quarter.
The collection is tied 1-1. Recreation 4 is Sunday, additionally in Portland.
There are very particular steps that gamers should clear earlier than being faraway from the league’s concussion protocol. Gamers start the return-to-play course of with gentle exertion — corresponding to driving a stationary bike, jogging, agility work and non-contact basketball drills — and every step is adopted by one other neurological examination.
Wembanyama’s outcomes will even be in comparison with his baseline neurological analysis — which gamers endure prior to every season — earlier than docs allow him to maneuver ahead within the return-to-play plan.
“It’s fairly simple,” Johnson mentioned. “Clearly, we hope he’ll be again sooner or later. However we’ll permit the protocol to play out. And once more, there’s nothing extra necessary than his well being.”
Any prolonged absence by Wembanyama can be an enormous blow to San Antonio, which completed with the league’s second-best document behind the versatile 7-foot-4 heart from France. They have been 12-6 within the common season with out Wembanyama.
Wembanyama averaged 25 factors, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and a league-best 3.1 blocks per recreation this season. He was additionally along with his teammates on Wednesday night, once they all donned cowboy hats and shocked teammate Keldon Johnson after he was introduced because the league’s Sixth Man of the Yr.
“We all know that he’s chomping on the bit to get again on the court docket and be along with his guys,” Johnson mentioned.
Printed on Apr 24, 2026