NBA star has a hard time getting up after a scary head injury
San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama got a concussion after a hard fall in the second quarter of their loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, and the video of the fall is tough to watch.
Victor, who’s from France, played 12 minutes before being taken out because of concussion rules, as the Spurs lost 106-103 in Game Two of their play-off series. He was trying to dribble through the Blazers’ defense but tripped before shooting, fell down, and hit his head on the court, looking like he might have briefly passed out.
His teammates – Dylan Harper, Carter Bryant, and Harrison Barnes – quickly gathered around him as he struggled to stand and seemed a bit shaky. After that, he was taken out of the game following the NBA’s concussion rules.
The NBA’s concussion policy says that if a player is diagnosed with a concussion, they can’t play fully for at least 48 hours and must go through a careful return process. The player’s activity should be limited and increased slowly under medical guidance, avoiding anything that makes symptoms worse. They should also avoid screens, get proper rest, eat well, and avoid large crowds until cleared by the medical staff.
Right now, it’s not clear if Victor will be ready for their next game in Portland on Friday, April 24. He’ll have several tests, and doctors will decide if he’s fit to play.
After the game, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said, “I just know he has a concussion and he’s in the protocol. We’ll obviously take the proper and appropriate steps.”