Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama calls out NBA for handling of concussion return

It appeared that San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was trending toward playing Game 3 of their first-round playoff series vs. the Portland Trail Blazers. Then, about an hour before tipoff, the NBA intervened, ruling out the Defensive Player of the Year from a pivotal game his team wound up winning 120-108.

Wembanyama suffered a concussion on a brutal fall during Game 2 last Tuesday. While driving to the basket in the second quarter, the big man fell to the ground, smacking his head against the court. He exited the game, and the second-seeded Spurs lost 106-103.

Despite the diagnosis, he subsequently traveled with the team to Portland for Game 3, for which he was cleared by the Spurs’ medical team. However, an independent neurologist, whose approval is needed for a return from a concussion, ruled Wembanyama out after evaluating him.

The decision, or at least the way in which the decision was made, did not sit right with the French superstar.

“I won’t get into the details,” Wembanyama said [h/t ESPN’s Michael C. Wright]. “I don’t want it to become a distraction. Ask me again after the season. All the doctors, especially on the Spurs, but the doctors all around, they were great, took great care of me. But the way the situation was handled was very disappointing. Not on the Spurs. But as I say, I won’t get into details.”

Cleared to return for Game 4, Wembanyama played lights-out to lift San Antonio to a 3-1 series lead; on Sunday, he had 27 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, and 7 blocks in the 114-93 road win.

“It’s special, obviously,” Wembanyama said. “I had lots of emotions in me before the game, obviously, excitement, frustration. So, I let it all out today.”

Wembanyama and the Spurs can close out the series vs. Portland at home tomorrow night.

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