Victor Wembanyama touring with workforce for Game 3, however his standing stays unsure

Victor Wembanyama suffered a concussion throughout Game 2 of the Spurs-Blazers playoff collection.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama will journey with the San Antonio Spurs to Portland for video games this weekend, even whereas persevering with to finish the steps mandated by the league’s concussion protocol.

That mentioned, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson stopped wanting saying Wembanyama will play. Wembanyama is “progressing,” Johnson mentioned, however his standing for Game 3 of the matchup stays unsure.

Wembanyama was on the workforce’s follow facility for a second consecutive day on Thursday, strolling round in a black hoodie and grey sweatpants. He even bought a couple of photographs up, teammate Julian Champagnie mentioned.

“He was only around for a little bit this morning,” Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox mentioned Thursday. “Obviously, we just want him to be healthy.”

Wembanyama — the league’s first-ever unanimous Kia Defensive Player of the Year and certainly one of three finalists for the Kia Most Valuable Player award — suffered the concussion within the Spurs’ Game 2 loss to Portland on Tuesday evening, leaving the sport within the second quarter.

Game 3 of the collection — tied at a sport apiece — is Friday in Portland (10:30 p.m. ET, Prime Video), adopted by Game 4 there on Sunday. The Spurs have been flying to Portland on Thursday afternoon.

There are very particular steps that gamers need to clear earlier than being faraway from the league’s concussion protocol. Players start the return-to-play course of with mild exertion — comparable to using a stationary bike, jogging, agility work and non-contact basketball drills — and every step is adopted by one other neurological examination.

Wembanyama’s outcomes may even be in comparison with his baseline neurological analysis — which gamers endure prior to every season — earlier than docs allow him to maneuver ahead within the return-to-play plan.

“It’s pretty straightforward,” Johnson mentioned. “Obviously, we hope he’ll be back at some point. But we’ll allow the protocol to play out. And again, there’s nothing more important than his health.”