Victor Wembanyama Suffers Concussion - When Could He Return? What it Means for Playoffs

The Spurs' MVP candidate went down in the second quarter of Tuesday night's game and didn't return.

NBC Insider NBC Sports Victor Wembanyama Suffers Concussion - When Could He Return? What it Means for Playoffs

The Spurs' MVP candidate went down in the second quarter of Tuesday night's game and didn't return.

By Matthew Jackson Apr 22, 2026, 11:08 AM ET

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The San Antonio Spurs will have to spend at least a little time in the Playoffs without their best player.

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Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs' star center who's already won Defensive Player of the Year this season and could be on his way to MVP Honors, has entered the NBA's concussion protocol after a nasty fall suffered in Tuesday's First Round Game 2 matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. Wemby left the game partway through the second quarter and did not return, setting the stage for at least a few days' absence for the 7'4" Frenchman.

So, how did Wemby get hurt, and what does it mean for the Spurs' Playoff hopes?

How was Victor Wembanyama injured?

Victor Wembanyama on the court with his hands on his hips

Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center on January 6, 2025. Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Wemby's injury came with a little less than nine minutes left in the second quarter of Tuesday night's game. On a drive to the basket, Wemby got tangled up with Portland's Jrue Holiday and, instead of going straight to the ground, tried to pass the ball as he lost his balance. His ball handling meant that he couldn't use his arms to break his own fall, and Wemby went face first into the hardwood.

He appeared dazed for at least a handful of seconds as his teammates surrounded him, and when he tried to stand he instead rocked back into a sitting position, prompting team trainers to head over. Moments later, Wembanyama was up and in the Spurs' locker room. He did not return to the game. By the end of the night, the Spurs' staff initiated concussion protocols on the 22-year-old phenom. His Spurs' teammates kept the game close, but couldn't quite stave off a Blazers surge in the final minutes, and San Antonio lost 106-103, tying the series at 1-1.

How long will Wemby be out? Concussion protocol explained

Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at the United Center on January 6, 2025. Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images

The NBA concussion protocol does not offer a single timeline to return which applies to every player. Rather, there is a mandatory waiting period, followed by evaluations which can return a player to the court or not, depending on results.

According to the league protocols, Wembanyama can't engage in any major physical activity (i.e. practice, workouts, etc.) for 24 hours from the time of the injury, and the Spurs must wait 48 hours to attempt return-to-play protocols. If concussion symptoms seem to have abated after 48 hours, Wemby will go through a series of tests checking his response to various levels of exertion, with an NBA-approved doctor monitoring each step. He'll then be cleared to play, or not, based on the results.

That means the earliest Wembanyama could even be evaluated to return is Thursday night, and the First Round series moves to Portland on Friday for Game 3, with Game 4 on Sunday and Game 5 next Tuesday, when the series will return to San Antonio. According to Sports Illustrated, the average return time for NBA players in concussion protocol is about a week, so it could potentially be Game 5, or later, before Wemby returns.

For more information on Wembanyama and other league news, head to NBC Sports. And be sure to tune in to NBC for plenty more NBA Playoff games over the next several weeks.

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