Spurs' Victor Wembanyama Details ‘Weird' Concussion Recovery

Crisis officially averted for the San Antonio Spurs.

Last Tuesday, the second-seeded Spurs lost to the seventh-seeded Portland Trail Blazers 106-103, tying their Western Conference first-round playoff series 1-1. In the process, Victor Wembanyama, the freshly announced unanimous NBA Defensive Player of the Year, suffered a concussion when he hit the floor chin-first and briefly went unconscious.

The foremost concern was Wembanyama’s well-being, but from a basketball perspective, what had started as a presumptive cruise-control opening series for the Spurs was suddenly cast into doubt.

As it turns out, neither concern was necessary. The Wemby-less Spurs beat the Blazers, 120-108, in Game 3 on Friday night, and Wembanyama cleared the NBA‘s concussion protocol to return to action for Game 4 on Sunday afternoon in Portland.

The Spurs dominated the Blazers, 114-93, to reclaim full control of the series. Wembanyama recorded a casual stat line: 27 points, 11 rebounds, seven blocks, four steals, and three assists in 27 minutes of play.

After the game, the chronically introspective Wembanyama opened up about his concussion to Malika Andrews on the ESPN broadcast.

“I had lots of emotions in me before the game,” the 7-foot-4 Frenchman said. “Obviously, excitement. Frustration. So, I let it all out tonight.”

Wembanyama added, “The Spurs have done an amazing job. I’m very happy about the way the protocol has been handled by all the parties, but my staff has been amazing. I’ve been really healthy, starting on day one after the injury. The injury, it was weird, though. It was funny.”

Andrews was taken aback by Wembanyama using the word “weird” to describe his concussion, but Wembanyama did not elaborate.

On Sunday, Wembanyama became the first player in league history to post 25-plus points and five-plus blocks in his debut road playoff game. That’s after he scored 35 points, the most by any Spur in a playoff debut, when the Spurs took Game 1 on April 19.

As vocal as Wembanyama is about wanting to win every available individual accolade, he brought the focus back to the team when speaking with Andrews.

“One more,” Wembanyama said. “You know, we don’t know how it is - most of us. I’ve never been here, never been in this situation, but we want to finish the job.”

The Spurs can eliminate the Blazers with a win in Game 5 in San Antonio on Tuesday night.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published April 26, 2026 at 5:36 PM.