article-image

NBA superstar Wembanyama traveling with Spurs, status for Game 3 uncertain

0
0
Clock Icon2 HoursBasketball

Victor Wembanyama will travel with the San Antonio Spurs to Portland for their games against the Trail Blazers this weekend.

Whether the French superstar is able to clear the NBA's concussion protocol and play is still uncertain.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said Thursday that Wembanyama is "progressing well" from his concussion, but his status for Friday's Game 3 has not been determined.

The first-round series is knotted at a game apiece, and Game 4 will be on Sunday.

 

Wembanyama, the NBA's first-ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year and one of three finalists for league MVP, was diagnosed with a concussion in the second quarter of Tuesday's 106-103 Game 2 loss when he tumbled face-first to the floor and his jaw slammed into the court.

According to the NBA concussion policy summary, a player diagnosed with a concussion is prohibited from participating in activities for at least 48 hours, and then must meet specific benchmarks without symptoms.

A physician with training and experience in the management of concussion will then clear the player after he passes neurological tests.

Wembanyama's presence on the court is obviously crucial for San Antonio, and it would be a massive blow to the Spurs if he is unable to play.

After tallying 35 points, five rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 33 minutes in Sunday's 111-98 series-opening victory, he had five points, four rebounds, one blocked shot and one assist in 12 minutes on Tuesday.