NBA Mutes Victor Wembanyama’s Mic While Trashing League’s Concussion Protocol

The NBA placed Victor Wembanyama in a 48-hour concussion protocol before allowing him to return to play in the postseason.

NBA Mutes Victor Wembanyama’s Mic While Trashing League’s Concussion Protocol

Victor Wembanyama and Adam Silver (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Victor Wembanyama was placed in the NBA's concussion protocol after hitting his head in Game 2.
  • He expressed disappointment with the handling of his concussion situation during a post-game press conference, which was abruptly cut off.
  • Wembanyama returned to play in Game 4, scoring 27 points and helping the Spurs take a 3-1 series lead against the Trail Blazers.

After his head hit the floor early in Game 2, the NBA sent Victor Wembanyama to be evaluated for a concussion and eventually placed him in the protocol.

That meant he could not be around a basketball for 48 hours. With Game 3 on the horizon, the Frenchman had to stay away from his team throughout practices and scrimmages.

Then, late in Game 3, he was seen on the bench cheering his teammates on as they took revenge on the Portland Trail Blazers for winning Game 2.

In Game 4, Wembanyama was cleared, and it seemed as if he wanted to prove a point. After posting 27 points, 12 rebounds, and a franchise-record-tying seven blocks, he took to the post-game press conference to say this:

I don’t want to get into details. I don’t want it to become a distraction. Ask me again after the season. Our doctors, especially on the Spurs… they were great. Took great care of me. But the way the situation was handled was very disappointing, not on the Spurs again.

Victor Wembanyama said

This was the 7’4″ center’s response when asked about his concussion protocol. After he said those words, his mic suddenly cut off. A few seconds later, the broadcast went out.

The league has had some issues with broadcasts recently, but it was mostly on Amazon Prime’s streaming service. ESPN, who were covering the Spurs-Trail Blazers Game 4, generally does not have such issues.

When the broadcast came back, reporters tried to get Victor Wembanyama to confirm whether it was the NBA and its medical staff that stopped him from playing in Game 3. After an initial hesitation, he agreed.

Shaquille O’Neal trolls Victor Wembanyama

It is clear that Victor Wembanyama wanted to get something off his chest, but the NBA meddled with the press conference so that it stayed within the Trail Blazers’ away-team media room.

Whatever the reasons were, the center is not happy. But he took it out on the court in Game 4, and so did his teammates.

Hey man, where yo shirt at?

Shaquille O’Neal said, when De’Aaron Fox was speaking with the crew of Inside the NBA

The Hall of Famer was trolling the Spurs superstar after he appeared on Fox’s interview and hugged him from behind, all while not wearing a shirt or jersey, live on national television.

That is why The Diesel decided to take a shot at him. Many older players have directed such snide remarks at current generation players for not being in full attire before, during, and after games.

Wembanyama did not hear Shaquille O’Neal‘s words. But Fox and the Spurs’ media team might let him know about the attire one must have before appearing live on television.

Victor Wembanyama and Spurs can seal the series at home

After Victor Wembanyama left Game 2 with a concussion, the Portland Trail Blazers took advantage of the situation and won it. If that had not happened, maybe the San Antonio Spurs could have gone back home with rest days ahead of them.

Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama
Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama (Image via San Antonio Spurs/X)

Instead, they have to play one more game, at least, before sealing the deal. It is very, very rare for a team to come back from a 3-1 deficit and win a playoff series.

That, along with the hunger with which Wembanyama and his teammates are playing, is why many expect the Spurs to take care of business in Game 5 at home.

Their fans will be waiting, as it has been a long time since the franchise has won a playoff series. Then, the newest Defensive Player of the Year awardee and his teammates can rest before round two of this postseason.

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