Victor Wembanyama Enters Concussion Protocol: When Will He Return?

The San Antonio Spurs may have to play the remainder of their first-round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers without All-Star center Victor Wembanyama.

During the second quarter of Game 2, Wembanyama fell face-first onto the hardwood as he was backing down Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday. The NBA's Defensive Player of the Year was then taken back to San Antonio's locker room for an evaluation.

It didn't take long for the Spurs to rule out Wembanyama for the rest of the night. He'll remain in concussion protocol until further notice.

How long does concussion protocol last for NBA players?

Under the league's current policy, players who are diagnosed with a concussion won't be allowed to return for at least 48 hours.

"After brief period of rest (24-48 hours) after injury, the player can be encouraged, under the direction of a team physician, to become gradually and progressively more active, so long as the activity level does not bring on or worsen the player's symptoms," the policy states. "Accordingly, a player who is diagnosed with concussion should consider limiting his use of electronic games and devices, be educated by a member of the team's medical staff about the need for appropriate sleep, nutrition, and hydration, and limit his exposure to large groups of people until he is cleared by a member of the team's medical staff to do so (e.g., refrain from any post-game fan appreciation activities or media availability)."

In order for Wembanyama to return, he must check off the following boxes:

• Be without concussion-related symptoms at rest.
• Have been been evaluated by a physician with training and experience in the management of concussion.
• Have successfully completed the NBA return-to-participation exertion process.
• A team physician has discussed the return-to-participation process and decision with the Director of the NBA Concussion Program.

Luckily for the Spurs, Game 3 of their series with the Trail Blazers won't take place until Friday. There's a chance Wembanyama could be cleared by tipoff.

If Wembanyama isn't ready by Game 3, it's hard to imagine he'll be ready for Game 4 on Sunday.

The Spurs should provide an update on Wembanyama in the next 24 hours.

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This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 6:54 PM.