Spurs head coach provides vague answer for Victor Wembanyama's Game 3 status

Victor Wembanyama didn't return to the Spurs' Game 2 meeting with the Trail Blazers after suffering a concussion in the second quarter. There's a chance he may miss the third meeting in Portland. San Antonio is notoriously mute when it comes to injuries, so it should be no surprise to fans when they hear Mitch Johnson's response to the question of whether the Alien will be ready for Game 3 or not.

If you're a football fan, you could liken this to Bill Belichick's famous, "We're on to Cincinnati" quote on the heels of a bad Patriots loss. Not because of a similarity in situation, but a similarity in tone. Coach Johnson can be very matter-of-fact, and he doesn't waste words. Spurs fans will have to rely on the teachings of NBA history and the concussion policy for hope until an official update is made.

The Spurs can't rush Wembanyama

As frustrating as it is for your favorite team to be without its best player, it wouldn't be smart for San Antonio to rush Vic back to the floor. That strategy is the one that forced the implementation of the concussion protocol in the first place. Notably, George Hill took a shot to the head in the 2013 playoffs as a member of the Pacers.

The ex-beloved Spurs point guard was cleared to return and finished the game but exhibited concussion-like symptoms later and failed the concussion test. Hill was then forced to miss a potential elimination game to help his team advance in Game 5. He came back for Game 6 and helped his team secure a victory over New York, but that wasn't a given at the time.

In 2012, JJ Barea was cleared to play the very next game after failing a concussion test. He played two more games, where he performed terribly before being sidelined for two weeks with a foot injury. Was it truly a foot injury, or did the Timberwolves decide that their point guard's brain needed more time to recover? You tell me.

The Spurs aren't going to risk the health of Wembanyama like that. They're way too forward-thinking of an organization to do that.

San Antonio may have lost Game 2 when they should have won it, but the circumstances were tough for a young squad. Losing your superstar, and as Castle put it, your brother, the day after he wins Defensive Player of the Year, as he's coming off an elite Game 1 performance, can throw you into your emotions a bit. Spurs Nation should expect them to pull it together until Wemby makes his return.

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