Strict health protocol kicks in 
Victor Wembanyama has been ruled out pending further evaluation. A pre-game ceremony had already taken place to present the Defensive Player of the Year trophy. The French center’s night ended in the second quarter. A drive at Jrue Holiday ended with a hard fall. Facial trauma was diagnosed after he hit the floor.
Team doctors reported signs of disorientation. Wembanyama went straight back to the locker room. The NBA’s concussion protocol was officially triggered. Under league rules, the usual absence runs from five to 10 days. That makes him highly unlikely to play in San Antonio’s next two road games in Oregon.
A late collapse on the scoreboard 
San Antonio initially covered for the blow. Balanced scoring, with five players in double figures, helped them build a 14-point lead in the final quarter. Then it all fell apart.
The final possessions told the story. The Spurs’ backcourt went cold at the worst possible time. De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle struggled to finish in the last five minutes, and Portland pounced on the opening.
Portland makes its possessions count
Scoot Henderson led the visitors with 31 points. Portland managed the closing stretch well, leaning on its veterans when it mattered. Jrue Holiday put the Blazers ahead on the scoreboard, before Robert Williams finished a three-point play – the dunk, plus the free throw – with 12 seconds left. The final score was 106-103 to the visitors. The series is now level at 1-1.
The injury list grows
The Spurs’ medical woes got worse. Another issue surfaced in the final quarter. Harrison Barnes cut short his night after suffering a wrist injury in contact with Deni Avdija. He headed straight to the locker room.
Dylan Harper for San Antonio and Donovan Clingan for Portland also needed medical checks before the game ended. The full extent of those knocks still needs to be confirmed.
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