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Portland Trail Blazers Even NBA Playoff Series Against San Antonio Spurs Amid Victor Wembanyama Injury

SAN ANTONIO — The Portland Trail Blazers leveled their first-round NBA playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs at one game apiece on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, after a dramatic 112-105 victory in Game 2. The win came under unexpected circumstances, as the Spurs lost their star player, Victor Wembanyama, to a concussion in the first quarter, forcing San Antonio to adjust its strategy on the fly.

Wembanyama’s Injury Shakes Spurs’ Playoff Hopes

The game took a dramatic turn early when Wembanyama, the league’s newly crowned unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, collided with Portland guard Jrue Holiday while driving to the basket. The 7-foot-4 center hit the floor hard, his face planting into the court before briefly bouncing off the surface. After lying motionless for a moment, Wembanyama was helped to the locker room under his own power but was later ruled out with a concussion.

Under NBA concussion protocol, Wembanyama must complete a mandatory 48-hour recovery period before being evaluated for a return. The league’s data suggests that the average recovery time for concussions ranges from seven to 10 days, raising questions about his availability for Game 3, scheduled for Friday, April 24.

“Whatever we do, we gonna do this s*** together!”

Spurs forward Keldon Johnson, moments before tipoff

The injury left the Spurs scrambling. Just minutes before the game, the team had huddled near half-court, celebrating Wembanyama’s Defensive Player of the Year award in front of a cheering crowd. By the end of the first quarter, that same huddle reformed—this time in confusion and concern. Without Wembanyama, San Antonio’s defense, which had anchored its playoff hopes, appeared vulnerable.

Portland Capitalizes on Spurs’ Adjustments

Facing a Spurs team forced to rethink its game plan, the Trail Blazers seized the opportunity. Portland’s defense, led by Holiday and center Deandre Ayton, disrupted San Antonio’s rhythm, forcing stagnant possessions and isolations. The Blazers’ ability to slow the game’s pace neutralized some of the Spurs’ offensive edge, a strategy that paid off as they built a lead in the second half.

The victory marked a significant moment for Portland, which had not hosted a home playoff game in five years. A sellout crowd of 20,438 at the Moda Center created an electric atmosphere, fueling the team’s resilience. The win also provided a measure of redemption for a franchise familiar with playoff heartache, having last advanced past the first round in 2019.

Uncertainty Looms for Spurs Ahead of Game 3

With Wembanyama sidelined, the Spurs face an uphill battle. His absence leaves a gaping hole in San Antonio’s defense and rebounding, two areas where he has been dominant this season. The team’s ability to adjust without him will be critical as the series shifts to Portland for Game 3.

For the Trail Blazers, the victory provides momentum, but the series remains far from decided. Portland’s path to advancing will depend on maintaining its defensive intensity and capitalizing on San Antonio’s vulnerabilities without Wembanyama. If the Spurs’ star remains sidelined, the Blazers’ chances of pulling off the upset improve significantly.

The series resumes on Friday, April 24, in Portland, where both teams will look to take a commanding 2-1 lead.