SAN ANTONIO (AP) — San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama will make the trip to Portland with his teammates for this weekend’s playoff games while he works through the NBA’s required concussion protocol procedures.
Head coach Mitch Johnson declined to confirm Thursday whether Wembanyama would be available for Game 3, stating the young star is making progress but his availability against Portland remains up in the air.
“He looks good,” Johnson commented, adding that team officials have not yet begun discussing a timeline for Wembanyama’s return to action.
The French center was present at the team’s training facility Thursday for the second day running, wearing a black hoodie and gray sweatpants. According to teammate Julian Champagnie, Wembanyama managed to take some practice shots.
“He was only around for a little bit this morning,” Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox noted Thursday. “Obviously, we just want him to be healthy.”
The 7-foot-4 center — who became the first player ever to win Defensive Player of the Year unanimously and is among three MVP finalists — sustained his head injury during San Antonio’s Game 2 defeat to Portland Tuesday evening, exiting in the second quarter.
Friday’s Game 3 in Portland will continue the series currently knotted at one game each, with Game 4 scheduled for Sunday in the same city. The Spurs were set to depart for Portland Thursday afternoon.
The NBA’s concussion protocol requires players to complete specific stages before receiving medical clearance. The recovery process starts with low-intensity activities including stationary cycling, light jogging, agility exercises and basketball drills without contact, with neurological testing following each phase.
Medical staff will also compare Wembanyama’s current test results against his preseason baseline neurological assessment before allowing him to advance through the return-to-play stages.
“It’s pretty straightforward,” Johnson explained. “Obviously, we hope he’ll be back at some point. But we’ll allow the protocol to play out. And again, there’s nothing more important than his health.”
A prolonged absence for Wembanyama would severely impact San Antonio, which posted the NBA’s second-best regular season record thanks largely to the versatile French big man. The team managed a 12-6 record during games he missed in the regular season.
This season, Wembanyama posted averages of 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and a league-leading 3.1 blocks per contest. He joined his teammates Wednesday night for a celebration where the squad wore cowboy hats to honor Keldon Johnson’s Sixth Man of the Year recognition.
“We know that he’s chomping at the bit to get back on the court and be with his guys,” Johnson said.
