The San Antonio Spurs lost Victor Wembanyama on Tuesday due to concussion protocol and Game 2 against the Portland Trail Blazers (106-103). The presence of the French international is uncertain for the next meeting.

Published on: 04/22/2026 - 06:09 Modified on: 04/22/2026 - 16:13

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Bad evening for Spurs. The San Antonio team quickly saw Victor Wembanyama leave on concussion protocol, Tuesday April 21, before losing to the wire (106-103) at home against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the NBA play-offs.

Portland thus equalizes at 1-1 in this best-of-seven-match series before hosting the next meeting on Friday, for which Wembanyama's presence is uncertain.

After the celebration of the first victorious match and Victor Wembanyama's 35 points for his discovery of the play-offs on Sunday, the atmosphere cooled greatly in Texas during match 2.

Also read: Victor Wembanyama, an MVP season for the young Frenchman from Spurs?

In the second quarter, at 8:57 from the break, the 22-year-old Frenchman, ball in hand, suffered a foul from Jrue Holiday causing him to lose his balance and fall heavily forward, suffering a big impact with his head facing the floor.

“Wemby” remained face down on the ground for a few moments, appearing dazed, ended up turning around, then getting up alone before running off to the locker room. The Spurs announced before the break that their phenomenon, then author of 5 points and 4 rebounds, would not return to the floor on Tuesday due to the “concussion protocol”.

At least 48 hours of rest for Wemby

According to NBA rules, a player must not return to play if he is "suspected of having suffered a concussion" or if he "exhibits symptoms of a concussion."

Coach Mitch Johnson confirmed after the match that Wembanyama had indeed suffered a concussion, and that he would “follow the procedure” planned. The Frenchman will have to observe at least 48 hours of rest. He could thus be available for the third game in Portland on Friday, in the event of a reassuring examination, or suffer a prolonged absence.

Absent from the play-offs since 2019, the Spurs rediscovered on Tuesday the hardness of the final stages, and lost the thread at the end of the game. The young Texans, thanks to an elite defense, were able to take a 14-point lead in the 4th quarter, before collapsing.

The only starter who has already experienced the final stages, leader De'Aaron Fox (17 points) missed the end of the match, like a team that was clumsy from afar (7 out of 24 at 29%). Young Scoot Henderson was flamboyant for Portland with 31 points, and pivot Robert Williams III gave a decisive advantage with an alley-oop 12 seconds from the siren.

“King” LeBron still at the level at 41

A little earlier, the Boston Celtics were also surprised at home, by the Philadelphia 76ers, winners 111-97 and now tied 1-1.

Still deprived of Joel Embiid, who had appendicitis surgery on April 9, the 76ers were led by their rookie VJ Edgecombe, who at 20 years old compiled 30 points (6 out of 10 from afar) and 10 rebounds. Tyrese Maxey also performed with 29 points against Jaylen Brown (36 points, 7 rebounds) and Jayson Tatum (19 points, 14 rebounds, 9 assists), who will travel to Pennsylvania on Friday for the 3rd game.

At the end of the evening, the Los Angeles Lakers secured a second success in two home matches against the Houston Rockets 101-94. Without Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves, LeBron James led his team with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists and made the crowd roar with his dunks, one spectacular with his back to the basket then a last to ensure success 55 seconds from the siren. Marcus Smart (25 points) and Luke Kennard (23 points) assisted the “King”, still at the level at 41 years old.

Back, Kevin Durant (23 points) already had 20 points at the break for the Rockets, but was muzzled afterwards and lost too many balls (9), at the heart of a clumsy collective (7 of 29 at 24% from distance).

With AFP

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