Victor Wembanyama criticizes NBA concussion protocol after Spurs’ playoff loss

Victor Wembanyama did not hold back his frustration following San Antonio’s Game 2 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, calling the NBA’s handling of his concussion evaluation “incredibly disappointing” after he was removed from the game and placed in the league’s concussion protocol.

The incident occurred early in the second quarter when Wembanyama spun around Portland point guard Scoot Henderson and was fouled by Jrue Holiday, causing him to tumble face-first to the court. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson confirmed after the game that Wembanyama had been placed in the NBA’s concussion protocol, stating simply, “He has a concussion. He’s in the protocol.”

Wembanyama’s removal came despite his insistence that he was able to continue playing. According to Johnson, the young center “wanted to stay in the game” but was overruled by the league’s mandatory concussion procedures, which require immediate removal when a concussion is suspected.

The Spurs fell 106-103 in the game, evening the Western Conference first-round series at one game apiece. Johnson acknowledged the significance of the loss, noting that any extended absence by Wembanyama would be “a massive blow” to San Antonio, which finished the regular season with the league’s second-best record.

Under NBA guidelines, a player diagnosed with a concussion must undergo at least 48 hours of inactivity and recovery before beginning a graduated return-to-play process. The player must pass neurological testing and receive final clearance from a team doctor in consultation with the league’s concussion protocol director before being allowed to resume competition.

Game 3 of the series is scheduled for Friday in Portland, leaving little time for Wembanyama to complete the required protocol steps. Johnson would not speculate on his star player’s availability, stating only, “The protocol is the protocol. We’ll just follow it as everyone else does and plan accordingly.”

The Spurs have shown resilience in Wembanyama’s absence during the regular season, posting a 12-6 record in games he missed. Guard Devin Vassell emphasized the team’s readiness to adapt, saying, “We’ve all got to step up. We know what Vic brings to the table. We’ve played without him for a couple games this year. It’s going to be next man up. Everybody’s going to have to step up. That’s a huge void to fill.”

Wembanyama’s public criticism highlights growing tension between player autonomy and league-mandated safety protocols, particularly in high-stakes playoff situations where star players are eager to remain on the court despite injury concerns.

The next official update on Wembanyama’s status is expected before Game 3 on Friday, when the NBA and Spurs medical staff will determine whether he has cleared the necessary concussion protocol benchmarks to return to play.

What are your thoughts on how the NBA handles concussion evaluations during playoff games? Share your perspective in the comments below.