After a dominant performance in the Spurs‘ Game 4 victory at Portland on Sunday, Victor Wembanyama expressed disappointment about not being cleared from concussion protocol ahead of Game 3, writes Jared Weiss of The Athletic.
The French star received clearance from San Antonio’s medical staff and sought league approval ahead of Friday’s contest, according to Weiss. When he was turned down by the director of the NBA’s concussion program, Wembanyama asked for an examination by an independent neurologist. He participated in an interview regarding his symptoms and told the neurologist that he felt fine to play, a source tells Weiss, but the league refused to grant clearance.
Wembanyama addressed the situation after Sunday’s game, saying he never received a firm reason for why he wasn’t permitted to play in Game 3.
“I’m not saying that not playing was a good or bad decision,” he told reporters. “It was a decision. I’m not saying it was good or bad. But the way the situation was handled, very disappointing.”
Wembanyama refused to go into detail about why he’s unhappy with how the league handled the situation, saying he doesn’t want it to become a distraction and he’ll address it further after the playoffs end. He added that he was satisfied with how medical personnel from both the team and the league conducted the process.
“The doctors all around, they were great. Took great care of me,” Wembanyama said. “But the way the situation was handled was very disappointing.”
Weiss notes that Wembanyama has built a reputation during his three NBA seasons for being “abundantly confident” in the way he takes care of himself and often argues that he’s able to play when the Spurs’ medical staff determines otherwise. Wembanyama said that being in concussion protocol didn’t affect his preparation for Sunday’s game.
“I’ve been feeling great,” he added. “Even conditioning-wise, I did some cardio two days ago, so I’m fine.”
Wembanyama suffered the concussion when he took a hard fall in the second quarter of Tuesday’s Game 2 and struck his chin on the court. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game, and Portland picked up its only victory so far in the series.
Wembanyama didn’t seem to be affected by any lingering symptoms on Sunday as he posted 27 points, 12 rebounds, seven blocks and four steals in 34 minutes. The Spurs overcame a 19-point deficit late in the first half and wound up winning by 21 to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Weiss notes that Wembanyama was knocked to the court a few times on Sunday, but coach Mitch Johnson was never worried about his condition.
“I didn’t, to be honest. I’ve learned to trust that young man,” Johnson said. “I think the challenge now is for him to continue to play the way he did in the second half for the whole game. When he does that, we’ll be tough. But if he doesn’t do that, there’s a ripple effect for our team. That’s the responsibility that comes with being the face of the franchise and the best player.”
nba mishandling a (significant and important) situation?
SHOCKING
He just wanted to play. The league wanted to make sure he is good. Of course the Spurs medical staff pushed him to play. The league made the right decision
probably, though i can see being frustrated if he doesn’t think he is being a clear reason why he can’t play
So you’re suggesting all team medical staffs are biased and push players to come back early from injuries? That’s a reckless implication to make. And if not, are you saying it’s only the Spurs staff that does this?
If this were the Thunder or another strong contender you might have a point, but I doubt the Spurs staff would want to put Wemby’s health at risk for a Game 3 against the Blazers of all teams. Not saying it is impossible that they did, but I don’t think it’s fair to make that assumption either.
And the fact that the league never provided him with an explanation as to why he was not cleared despite team doctors clearing him should not be acceptable.
The protocol requires a minimum of 48 hours of rest and a series of symptom-free, monitored steps of increasing exertion (bike, jogging, agility, contact drills). Victor did not participate in the practice before Game 3. You can’t go from not doing contact work on practice to being fully healthy and recovered from a concussion in Game 3. Game 3 was always too early for any player (Game 3 was 72 hours after the concussion and nobody has returned sooner than that in league history)
It’s not the same sport, but watching how Chris Pronger’s career ended with concussions the NBA did the right thing. Just imagine if they cleared him too early and he hit his head again and missed a bunch of time.
Victor made the point that he’s not arguing if it’s a good or bad decision that the NBA ruled him out – he’s criticizing the mishandling of the situation. There was not enough transparency as per why they denied him the opportunity to play. If there is a legitimate medical reason he’s unable to play, then obviously the league doctors should tell the patient so that he can take care of himself.
Obviously, the league isn’t great on transparency. Can’t risk spilling any milk that us cowfans could have paid to swallow.
If a league, any league has protocols you have a couple of choses, accept them, or take your talents elsewhere.
Maybe the process wasn’t perfect – we’ll probably never know for sure. But the process is in place to stop guys like Wemby self determining their condition after a head knock, and to be as impartial as possible. Love Wemby’s attitude, but he isn’t impartial.