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Victor Wembanyama expressed dissatisfaction with the NBA’s approach to concussion protocols, which led to his absence from Game 3 in the Spurs’ series against the Trail Blazers. He described the situation as “very disappointing” in terms of how it was managed.
Despite Wembanyama’s frustration, the Spurs managed to secure a 3-1 lead in the series, clinching a 114-93 victory over the Blazers on Sunday night. In a postgame discussion with Malika Andrews, Wembanyama openly shared his discontent with the league’s handling of concussion procedures.
“I was experiencing a mix of emotions before the game — excitement and frustration among them — so I released a lot of that energy tonight,” he explained to Andrews, who inquired about his experience with the concussion protocol.
“The Spurs staff has been excellent,” Wembanyama remarked. “My dissatisfaction lies with how the protocol was managed by other entities. However, my team has been outstanding. From the very first day after the injury, I was on the path to recovery. The injury itself was peculiar, almost amusing,” he added.
Wembanyama suffered a hard fall during Game 2 against Portland, which resulted in him entering concussion protocol. Following the game, San Antonio confirmed that he had indeed sustained a concussion.
Wembanyama was given another chance to address the topic after the Game 4 win. Though he didn’t give much more detail on what upset him about the process, he reiterated his frustration.
“I won’t get into the details. I don’t want to become a distraction,” he said. “Ask me again after the end of the season. But again, all the doctors, especially on the Spurs, we have 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, again. But as I said, I won’t get into the details.
“I’m not saying that not playing was a good or bad decision. It was a decision. I’m not saying it was good or bad, but the way the situation was handled, very disappointing.”
Wembanyama finished the game with 27 points and shot 9-of-17 from the field, while pulling down 11 rebounds, three assists and seven blocks.
The Spurs’ big man also had three steals by the end of the game.