Victor Wembanyama suffered a concussion throughout Game 2 of the Spurs-Blazers playoff collection.
Victor Wembanyama will journey with the San Antonio Spurs to Portland for video games this weekend, even whereas persevering with to finish the steps mandated by the league’s concussion protocol.
That mentioned, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson stopped in need of saying Wembanyama will play. Wembanyama is “progressing,” Johnson mentioned, but his status for Game 3 of the matchup remains uncertain and he’s listed as questionable as of this morning.
Wembanyama was on the team’s observe facility for a second consecutive day on Thursday, strolling round in a black hoodie and grey sweatpants. He even bought a couple of photographs up, teammate Julian Champagnie mentioned.
Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, Wembanyama took half in some cardiovascular exercise late Wednesday as his signs had not worsened.
“He was only around for a little bit this morning,” Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox mentioned Thursday. “Obviously, we just want him to be healthy.”
Wembanyama — the league’s first-ever unanimous Kia Defensive Player of the Year and one of three finalists for the Kia Most Valuable Player award — suffered the concussion within the Spurs’ Game 2 loss to Portland on Tuesday night time, leaving the sport within the second quarter.
Game 3 of the collection — tied at a sport apiece — is Friday in Portland (10:30 p.m. ET, Prime Video), adopted by Game 4 there on Sunday. The Spurs have been flying to Portland on Thursday afternoon.
There are very particular steps that gamers should clear earlier than being faraway from the league’s concussion protocol. Players start the return-to-play course of with gentle exertion — comparable 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 may also be in comparison with his baseline neurological analysis — which gamers bear prior to every season — earlier than medical doctors allow him to maneuver ahead within the return-to-play plan.
“It’s pretty straightforward,” Johnson mentioned. “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.”
Any prolonged absence by Wembanyama can be a large blow to San Antonio, which completed with the league’s second-best file 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 sport this season. He was additionally 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 Kia Sixth Man of the Year.
“We know that he’s chomping at the bit to get back on the court and be with his guys,” Johnson mentioned.
Information from The Associated Press was used on this report.
