In some doubtlessly excellent news for the Spurs, Victor Wembanyama goes to journey with the crew to Portland, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Wemby entered concussion protocol after falling and smacking his chin on the courtroom within the second quarter of Sport 2 on Tuesday. He appeared dazed earlier than getting up and heading to the locker room. The Spurs had been fast dispel rumors that had been going round throughout/after the sport he had been taken to the hospital for x-rays on his head or jaw.
Per the NBA’s concussion protocol guidelines, he should undergo a 48-hour remark interval with no contact basketball allowed, though he can do exercises resembling cardio and non-contact drills as deemed match, which he was seen doing at apply yesterday and as we speak. Gamers should additionally endure cognitive/neurological testing, be symptom free and cleared by crew and league medical doctors to return to play.
Head coach Mitch Johnson advised reporters at apply as we speak that Wemby is progressing effectively, however they haven’t but decided whether or not he will probably be accessible for Video games 3 and 4 in Portland.
Sport 3 is on Friday, which is exterior the necessary 48-hour window because the incident occurred on Tuesday. Whereas it will be uncommon for a participant to return that rapidly from a concussion — 5-7 days is the most typical timeframe — it’s not extraordinary. That being mentioned, there are ranges of severity to concussions, and it will seem it is a delicate one based mostly on his fast development. If he was in any hazard to fly or the Spurs didn’t assume he stood an opportunity of returning on Friday or Sunday for Sport 4, he wouldn’t be touring with them.
In different damage associated information, Harrison Barnes and Dylan Harper are cleared to play in Sport 3. Barnes exited within the fourth quarter Sport 2 after struggling a shoulder stinger in a collision with Deni Avdija, and Harper reaggravated an present thumb damage after getting tangled with Donovan Clingan a play later. Harper returned to that sport, Barnes didn’t.
Sport 3 will probably be tomorrow at 9:30 PM CT and streamed on Prime. The Spurs went 2-1 in opposition to Portland within the common season with out Wemby, together with a win on the Moda Middle in November. De’Aaron Fox scored 37 factors in that sport, and they’re going to want an identical efficiency from him and for everybody else to step up in Wemby’s absence ought to he miss one or each video games. The Spurs had been down two factors when he exited early within the second quarter of Sport 2, and whereas regrouped and obtained the lead as much as 14 within the fourth quarter, the offense fell aside down the stretch to lose the sport 103-106. The collection is at the moment tied 1-1.
