Victor Wembanyama Misses Game 2 Due to Concussion Protocol

San Antonio Spurs standout Victor Wembanyama could not participate in Game 2 against the Portland Trail Blazers due to being in concussion protocol.

Things took a turn for Wembanyama in the second quarter when he took a hit to the face while playing. He was fouled by Blazers guard Jrue Holiday, which caused him to fall awkwardly and hit his jaw on the court. This halted the game for a moment as the situation unfolded.

Wembanyama was down for a bit but managed to get up after coach Mitch Johnson called a timeout to check on him.

Initially, he seemed a bit dazed but quickly moved to the locker room for assessment. Unfortunately for the Spurs, the team confirmed that he wouldn’t return to the game, sticking to safety regulations.

Having won Game 1, the Spurs were keen to build on their momentum in this best-of-seven series against the Blazers. However, Wembanyama’s absence, especially after his impressive 35-point performance in the first game, posed a significant challenge.

The Spurs and their fans were, understandably, anxious. The protocol requires Wembanyama to meet certain recovery milestones before he can hit the court again.

Next up for San Antonio is Game 3 in Portland, set for Friday night at 10:30 p.m. The silver lining for Wembanyama and the Spurs is that they might have a couple of days to ensure he meets the necessary criteria to play.

It’s worth noting that this marks the Spurs’ first playoff appearance since 2019, and Wembanyama played a crucial role throughout the regular season, helping the team secure the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference with a remarkable 62-20 record.

Recently, he was recognized as the league’s Defensive Player of the Year, making history by being the first player to receive the award unanimously and the youngest ever to do so. He earned all 100 first-place votes, with Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder receiving 76 second-place votes.

Wembanyama’s statistics this season—averaging 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, and an impressive 3.1 blocks per game—demonstrate just how impactful he’s been. It’s an exciting time for his career, yet, understandably, health comes first.