PORTLAND, Ore. — San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama remains in the NBA’s concussion protocol on Saturday as he works to be cleared to rejoin his team in their Western Conference First Round series against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Announced by the team Saturday evening, the Frenchman is questionable for Game 4.
“We’re still running through the process and continuing to work with the NBA,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson offered during a media availability at the team hotel in Portland.
Per league protocol, 24 hours after a player sustains a concussion, he can begin the process of returning to play. If symptom-free, he can be cleared to return by team doctors in consultation with a league policy director after 48 hours without full participation.
Wembanyama traveled with the Spurs to Portland and participated in shootaround ahead of Game 3, but did not receive a green light, despite making a push to play. Thirty minutes prior to tipoff, the forward warmed up in game shorts on the court at Moda Center.
“Obviously, I know he was upset last night that he wasn’t able to play,” Devin Vassell said on Saturday, “but he didn’t show that to us … that’s huge.”