Veteran San Antonio Spurs beat writer Michael C. Wright thinks Victor Wembanyama is a “medical marvel” if he suits up for Game 3 against the Portland Trail Blazers after suffering a concussion on Tuesday.
“If he somehow plays Friday, we need to be writing stories about how this guy is a medical marvel,” Wright said on his “Howdy Partners” podcast on Wednesday.
“Because what we saw — that was pretty brutal,” Wright said of Wemby crashing chin-first on the court during a play against the Blazers in Game 2.
“It was pretty scary.”
Wemby sprinted off the court Tuesday night after he sat under the rim for several minutes following his nasty fall early in the second quarter. He would subsequently be diagnosed with a concussion and placed in the NBA’s concussion protocol.
Victor Wembanyama Return Date
The NBA’s concussion protocol prohibits Wemby from returning to basketball activities for at least 48 hours after the concussion/injury [Tuesday night], but the Frenchman can resume gradual activity after 24 hours if symptoms subside. Thereafter, the All-Star big man will need to meet several benchmarks while symptom-free, and then must obtain clearances from the Spurs team doctor and the NBA’s protocol doctor.
Wemby has reportedly already resumed gradual activity.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported late Wednesday night that Wemby did not suffer any setbacks in his recovery from a concussion and could travel with the team to Portland for Games 3 and 4 on Friday and Sunday. Charania added that Wemby had begun light cardio work at the Spurs practice facility — a positive sign in his recovery process.
Victor Wembanyama Injury Update
“I’m told Victor Wembanyama was able to participate in cardio work here late Wednesday because his symptoms didn’t worsen,” Charania reported on “Inside the NBA” on ESPN late Wednesday night.
“He wasn’t feeling worse than he did when he suffered that concussion, and as of right now, my understanding is he is hopeful that he’ll be able to travel with the team to Portland on Thursday.”
While his status for Game 3 is up in the air, Charania noted that it was a positive step for the reigning Defensive Player of the Year to board an airplane. However, he noted that Wemby would need to jump a few hoops before being cleared to return.
“He has to clear neurological exams every single day, and what we know about the Spurs is they’re going to always err on the side of caution — especially with someone like Victor Wembanyama,” Charania said.
For what it’s worth, the average return timeline for concussed NBA players is nine days. However, there have been several instances of players returning more quickly.
The Spurs enter Game 3 against the Blazers as 3.5-point favorites despite the uncerainity surrounding Wemby’s status. Mitch Johnson’s team will try to take a 2-1 series lead after dropping Game 2 on Tuesday.
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