Spurs' Wembanyama ruled out of game 3 after concussion

TL;DR

Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs is ruled out of Game 3 due to a concussion suffered in a recent playoff game. Coach Mitch Johnson confirmed the decision shortly before tip-off, stating Wembanyama is progressing well.

Key points

Victor Wembanyama ruled out of Game 3 due to concussion
Coach Mitch Johnson confirmed the decision shortly before tip-off
Wembanyama is progressing well in his recovery

Victor WembanyamaSan Antonio SpursPortland Trail Blazers

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama holds his head after a hard fall in the NBA playoffs that left him with a concussion (Ronald Cortes) (Ronald Cortes/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP) San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama was ruled out of the Spurs' NBA playoff game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, three days after he suffered a concussion. Wembanyama had been listed as "questionable" on the Spurs injury report, but coach Mitch Johnson announced less than two hours before tip-off that the 22-year-old Frenchman wouldn't play. "Victor is not playing tonight," Johnson said. "Obviously, there's a lot that goes into that, but he's doing well and progressing." Wembanyama was placed in the NBA's concussion protocol after taking a hard fall to the court in Tuesday's 106-103 loss to Portland in San Antonio, which evened their best-of-seven first-round series at one game apiece. Wembanyama attended team workouts on Wednesday and Thursday but was not allowed to take part under the protocol that calls for a gradual return to activity with medical evaluations at each step. He made the trip to Portland and took part in the Spurs' shoot-around on Friday morning, further sparking speculation that he could be cleared to play. Johnson, pressed as to whether there was "optimism" that Wembanyama would be back for game four, said he wasn't qualified to say. "There's gonna be a lot of questions. I understand, and follow-ups, and I don't think that I'm the appropriate person -- and especially at this time -- to answer a lot of them," Johnson said. "But he is doing well and progressing." Wembanyama was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year last week and is a finalist for the Most Valuable Player award. He averaged a career-high 25 points, a career-best 11.5 rebounds, a league-best 3.1 blocked shots and one steal per game this season. bb/sla

Q&A

Why was Victor Wembanyama ruled out of Game 3?

Victor Wembanyama was ruled out of Game 3 due to a concussion he sustained from a hard fall during a previous playoff game.

What is the status of Wembanyama's recovery from his concussion?

Wembanyama is currently in the NBA's concussion protocol and is progressing well, but he will not play in Game 3.

When is Victor Wembanyama expected to return to play?

While there is speculation about his return for Game 4, Coach Mitch Johnson did not provide a definitive timeline for Wembanyama's comeback.