The San Antonio Spurs’ second game against the Portland Trail Blazers was marred with turnovers, injuries, and concerns with depth. Victor Wembanyama went out early in the second quarter and did not return. He was diagnosed with a concussion after taking a hard fall under the basket.
Disaster Strikes Spurs in Game 2 vs Trail Blazers
Spurs Have A Rebounding Issue
Tuesday’s game was close and competitive after Wembanyama’s exit. However, what shifted the tide further was the departure of Harrison Barnes, who left the game with a shoulder stinger. Now down Barnes and Wembanyama, the Spurs struggled with boxing out the athletic Trail Blazers. Robert Williams III had a great game and got crucial rebounds over the Spurs down the stretch. In only a three-point loss, not being able to box him out proved pivotal. Scoot Henderson also was a key force on the glass.
SPURS FALTER IN GAME 2 WITHOUT WEMBY 😬
San Antonio blows a 14-point fourth-quarter lead after Victor Wembanyama left the game under concussion protocol. pic.twitter.com/lbMQsteqxZ
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 22, 2026
Rookies Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant played increased minutes late in the game, and both struggled to take care of the ball and box out. The depleted Spurs interestingly did not put veteran Mason Plumlee in the game. Plumlee is a recent addition to San Antonio and has played limited minutes with the team. Despite this, his veteran presence and overall size could have helped the Spurs out. Other players, such as Kelly Olynyk and Lindy Waters III, did not see any minutes despite the injuries.
Will Victor Wembanyama Return Before Friday’s Game?
Yes, Wembanyama will likely return. He entered concussion protocol after his immediate exit to the locker room. He cannot play for two days, but lucky for the Spurs, their next game is in three. Wemby will have some time off before he can practice, though. Whether or not the Spurs want to hold him out longer is the only caveat.
Should the Spurs Smash the Panic Button?
Not yet. Despite everything that went wrong last night, the Spurs only lost by three points and nearly sent the game to overtime. Bryant and Harper both had rough games down the stretch but gained valuable experience. With Wembanyama back, the Spurs should have no problem taking a game in Portland, which they now need to do.
However, if there is something to be concerned about, it was the Spurs’ early play with Wemby. In 12 minutes, Wembanyama only made one field goal. The Spurs trailed by double digits in the first quarter. The Trail Blazers flattened the Spurs’ offense and limited Wembanyama’s movement early.
If the Spurs want to stay competitive in Portland this week, they must find a way to make their offense more consistent and do a better job boxing out. They also need to know what to do with their small-ball lineup, which clearly wasn’t working. With or without Wemby, the Spurs need to find consistency on both ends of the court.
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