Victor Wembanyama Injury Update: Spurs Star Given Return Timeline by Doctor

The Frost Bank Center fans held their breath as San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama awkwardly tumbled to the floor with just under nine minutes remaining in the first quarter of Tuesday night’s game. 

Wembanyama received a pass on the perimeter as Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday engaged on defense. Wembanyama drove to the left, spun back to his right and lost his footing in the process, resulting in him falling face-first on the floor.

It was immediately a jarring sequence of events.

Replay showed Wembanyama’s face harshly impacting the ground and him immediately shutting his eyes thereafter. 

The 22-year-old Spurs star stayed dormant on the ground and as he tried to get back up, he appeared visibly dazed and off balance.

A few moments later, Wembanyama got up and exited directly to the Spurs locker room to receive further evaluation. 

It was announced later that Wembanyama had entered concussion protocol. He did not return to the game, which the Spurs lost, 103-106, tying the series at one game apiece. 

Doctor Gives the Latest on Scary Victor Wembanyama Experience

San Antonio was relieved to have Wembanyama back at the very end of the regular season after the star big man suffered a rib injury in an earlier game against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Wembanyama was reportedly near full strength entering the playoffs. Now comes a new concern.

Wembanyama has seen his fair share of setbacks in just three years he has been in the NBA — none bigger than the deep vein thrombosis he was diagnosed with late last season.

But last night’s injury also appeared to be potentially devastating. 

According to Dr. Brian Sutterer, a well-known sports medicine expert, Wembanyama’s injury is one that could either cost him zero games or even the rest of the first round of the playoffs.

“Should he come back for Game 3? I don’t think so. Will he? I don’t think so,” Sutterer said. “I think it is far more likely that we see him back somewhere around the 5-10 day mark if you give this the appropriate time and attention that it deserves.”

Added Sutterer: “I would fully expect Wembanyama to miss at least a few games as he progresses through the concussion protocol. … I hope that [the Spurs] give him more time than maybe they could push to allow him to have a full recovery.”

GettySan Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama

Sutterer Raises Major Potential Concern

It is important to note Wembanyama received an impact squarely to the face and jaw area. While that could’ve triggered nothing more than only a concussion, Sutterer notes the potential of a severe jaw injury, which could completely change Wembanyama’s return timeline.

“This is absolutely something that could lead to a fracture of his mandible or fracture of the jaw,” Sutterer warned. “If he has a fracture of his jaw, we are talking about a whole different return to play timeline that could definitely keep him out of the entire postseason. … We absolutely need to keep an eye out for the possibility of some sort of facial fracture, some sort of jaw mandible fracture, because of how hard he landed on the court.”

The Spurs will likely evaluate Wembanyama more closely today to discover the total extent of the star’s injury and if there is concern beyond a concussion.

All signs suggest Wembanyama will at least miss Thursday’s Game 3 and Sunday’s Game 4 — which will both be in Portland. Wembanyama could stay back in San Antonio as his team is away to continue receiving full treatment. 

Said Sutterer: “Hopefully he recovers quickly, hopefully we see him back within about a week or so. But definitely has the potential to be longer.”

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