There’s a world in which San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama may be ready for Friday’s Game 3 against the Portland Trail Blazers, after the Frenchman sustained a concussion in Tuesday’s Game 2 loss.
While analyzing Wemby’s return timeline from a concussion, sports medicine expert Jesse Morse, M.D. detailed the various possibilities moving forward.
“He has entered the concussion protocol, which is potentially concerning, meaning that the Spurs medical doctors are concerned he has suffered a concussion.
“Best case scenario, he only misses the rest of the game, and it was just a ‘scare,’ not a full concussion,” Morse wrote on X, reacting live to Wemby’s injury.
Victor Wembanyama Injury Update
Morse noted that Wemby could miss up to 10 days if his concussion symptoms act up over the next few days. In such a scenario, the 7-footer may miss most of the first-round series against the Blazers. It’s worth noting that the Spurs vs Blazers series will continue with Games 3, 4, 5 and 6 within a span of six days between April 24-30.
“Depending on the specifics, however if Wembanyama is confirmed to have a concussion, there is a possibility he could miss 3 to 10+ days depending on his symptoms and how quickly he’s able to clear the concussion protocol,” Morse wrote.
“The fastest a player can clear the concussion protocol in the NFL is 5 days. The NBA’s timeline isn’t as clear.”
Wemby Enters Concussion Protocol
Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor highlighted that the average NBA recovery time for a concussion is 7-10 days. The Spurs will play a Game 7 on May 2 (if necessary).
As per the NBA’s concussion protocol, a player cannot return to full basketball activities for at least 48 hours after the injury, but can resume gradual activity after 24 hours if symptoms subside. Wemby would also be required to meet several benchmarks while symptom-free to be cleared to play, and then require clearances from both the Spurs team doctor and the NBA’s specialized protocol doctor.
The next 24 hours could determine Wemby’s availability for at least Games 3 and 4.
Wembanyama sustained a concussion on a hard fall during the second quarter of Tuesday’s 106-103 loss to the Trail Blazers. When he checked out, Wemby had played just 12 minutes but was a -7 on the floor and not his usual dominant self.
“I just know he has a concussion and he’s in the protocol,” Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said after the loss, via ESPN’s Michael C. Wright.
“We’ll obviously take the proper and appropriate steps.”
For what it’s worth, Spurs star Stephon Castle thought it was “a good sign” that Wemby left the floor of his own volition after taking a hard fall. Wemby landed chin-first on the court at the 8:57 mark in the second quarter while driving to the basket, guarded by two-time NBA champion Jrue Holiday.
“I was just checking on him, making sure he was OK,” Castle said after the game.
“I was subbing in. Obviously, he ran off [the floor]. So, that’s a good sign.”
Game 3 of the Spurs vs Blazers series will tip off at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday.
Spurs Get Victor Wembanyama ‘Best Case Scenario’ Update After Concussion