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Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs dunks during the second half of Game Four of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on April 26, 2026 in Portland, Oregon.
All-Star big man Victor Wembanyama, AKA Wemby, reportedly had to hire an independent neurologist to get cleared for his concussion before Game 4 of the San Antonio Spurs vs. Portland Trail Blazers first-round series on Sunday.
According to The Athletic’s Jared Weiss, Wemby felt he was ready to play in Game 3 because he had met the benchmarks to clear the NBA’s concussion protocol, a little over 72 hours after sustaining a concussion in Game 2 of the series last Tuesday. However, the NBA determined Wemby “was not ready” to return for Game 3.
“When Wembanyama was not given clearance by the director of the league’s concussion program, in compliance with Section 5(b)(iv) of the NBA concussion policy, he requested an examination by an independent neurologist,” Weiss wrote.
Weiss’ report added: “Wembanyama informed the independent neurologist that he was ready to play and completed an interview regarding his symptoms, but the NBA determined Wembanyama was not ready to return for Game 3, a source briefed on the matter told The Athletic.”
The 7-foot-5 phenom ultimately did not play in Game 3, even though he traveled to Portland. He did make an emphatic return in Game 4, finishing with 27 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, seven blocks and four steals in Sunday’s 114-93 win.
When Victor Wembanyama was not cleared by the NBA to play ahead of Game 3, he requested an examination by an independent neurologist in accordance with the NBA concussion policy, a league source with direct knowledge of the situation told @TheAthletic. Wembanyama informed the
The Frenchman also voiced his displeasure with the NBA’s concussion protocol policy.
“I’m not saying that not playing was a good or bad decision,” Wembanyama said.
“It was a decision. I’m not saying it was good or bad. But the way the situation was handled was very disappointing.”
Wembanyama, 22, on Sunday became the youngest player in NBA postseason history to log 25 points, 10 rebounds and seven blocks in a game, surpassing Hall of Famers like Hakeem Olajuwon (5x), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (3x), Shaquille O’Neal (3x) and David Robinson (2x) on the list.
Wemby is the youngest player in NBA history with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 7 blocks in a playoff game, per @Stathead. He is the 10th player to ever do it:
1. Victor Wembayama 2. Hakeem Olajuwon (5x) 3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (3x) 4. Shaquille O’Neal (3x) 5. David Robinson (2x) 6.
Spurs guard Devin Vassell was thrilled to have his teammate back on Sunday.
“That’s Vic being the best player in the world and we know that he can do that,” Vassell said after the win.
“For him to be able to dominate both ends of the floor doesn’t even really come as a surprise anymore. You expect it. You expect that type of greatness from him and that’s what we need from him every game.”
The Spurs are one win away from advancing to the second round of the playoffs. This postseason marks their first in six years and the first in the Wemby era.
Spurs vs Blazers Game 5 tips off at 9:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
Sai Mohan covers the NBA for Heavy.com. Based in Portugal, Sai is a seasoned sports writer with nearly two decades of publishing experience, including bylines at Yardbarker, FanSided's Hoops Habit, International Business Times, Hindustan Times and more. More about Sai Mohan
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