The average return timeline for concussed NBA players is nine days, according to a study from ESPN. Based on that timeline, San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama may not be cleared to return until Game 6 on April 30 or Game 7 on May 2 against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
In February, Toronto Raptors wing RJ Barrett missed five regular-season games over a span of nine days. In October 2025, Brandon Ingram missed four games over an 11-day span for the New Orleans Pelicans. More severe cases include Jaylen Brown needing 17 days to recover in 2018 and TJ Warren sitting out nearly a month in 2017.
Victor Wembanyama Return Timeline
Spurs beat writer Dusty Garza detailed a recent history of NBA players suffering concussions.
“Victor Wembanyama in the concussion protocol has fans anxious for his return, but history shows it’s completely unpredictable how long he might be out or how many games he might miss.
“Looking back at recent past cases:
• Tobias Harris: Returned same game
• Brandon Ingram: Missed 11 days
• Jaylen Brown: Missed 17 days
• T.J. Warren: Missed 4 weeks
“We are officially in wait-and-see mode. Praying for a safe, speedy recovery.”
Looking back at recent past cases: • Tobias Harris: Returned same game • Brandon Ingram:
Spurs vs Blazers Game 3
As Garza noted, there’s a lot of unpredictability involving concussion recovery.
The NBA’s concussion protocol prohibits Wemby from returning to basketball activities for at least 48 hours after the concussion/injury [Tuesday night], but the Frenchman can resume gradual activity after 24 hours if symptoms subside. Thereafter, Wemby will need to meet several benchmarks while symptom-free, and then must obtain clearances from the Spurs team doctor and the NBA’s protocol doctor.
As such, the next 24 hours could determine Wemby’s return timeline. Sports medicine expert Jesse Morse, M.D. detailed the various possibilities moving forward.
“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,.
“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.
Wembanyama sustained a concussion on Tuesday after crashing chin-first into the court early in the second quarter while driving to the rim. After sitting under the rim for several minutes, he ran into the tunnel just as his teammates checked on him.
“I just know he has a concussion and he’s in the protocol,” Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said of the situation, via ESPN’s Michael C. Wright.
“We’ll obviously take the proper and appropriate steps.”
Game 3 of the tied Spurs vs Blazers series will tip off at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday.
Victor Wembanyama Return Timeline: Recent History of NBA Concussions