The Trail Blazers beat the Spurs, 106-103, to even the series at 1-1. Wembanyama only played 12 minutes and scored five points before the injury.
Wembanyama suffered the injury while he was driving hard to the rim against Portland’s Jrue Holiday. It looked like Holiday “pulled the chair” — a long-time NBA move where the defender steps back and causes an out-of-control ball handler to fall. Wembanyama has a long way to fall at 7’5 in shoes, and he unfortunately took an awkward tumble that resulted in a major blow to the head. Watch the play here:
A concussion typically keeps an NBA player out for at least 7-10 days, and we know some can last much longer. Head trauma isn’t something anyone should rush back from.
Wembanyama will have to be in recovery for 48 hours. Then, he’ll have to be symptom free, and cleared for a return to play by both team and league doctors, per Shams Charania.
Wembanyama was incredible in his playoff debut in Game 1, popping off for 35 points in 33 minutes while dominating defensively like always. He’s playing as well as anyone in the world right now, and losing him for an extended period would throw a wrench in the Western Conference Playoffs.
The series returns to Portland for Game 3 on Friday. Game 4 will be Sunday in Portland. The series returns to San Antonio for Game 5 the following Tuesday, and then Game 6 is on two nights later, and Game 7 is two nights after that.
This is just awful timing for the Spurs. It’s not the type of injuries that team doctors should allow him to play through. With the series tied 1-1, there will be pressure to get back onto the court, but Wembanyama needs to remember to protect his health.
We’ll update this story as it develops.
