Overview
- Coach Mitch Johnson announced Friday that Wembanyama would not play in Portland as he remains in the NBA concussion protocol.
- Wembanyama traveled with the Spurs and joined the morning shootaround, but doctors did not clear him to return to contact play.
- San Antonio started Luke Kornet at center in Wembanyama’s place for Game 3.
- League rules require a concussed player to be symptom‑free, complete staged exertion tests, and receive physician sign‑off after consultation with the NBA program director, and there is no set timetable with many returns taking about 7–10 days.
- His absence is significant given his Defensive Player of the Year award, 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game and the team’s stronger record with him, and the Spurs will reassess his status for Sunday’s Game 4.