Scoot Henderson delivered a 31‑point performance while the Portland Trail Blazers capitalized on a misfortune for the San Antonio Spurs, pulling off a 106‑103 win that knotted the Western Conference series at one game each. The decisive moment came early in the second quarter when Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama was knocked down face‑first after a foul by Jrue Holiday, causing his jaw to slam into the hardwood.
The impact forced the 7‑foot‑4, 230‑pound phenom into the NBA's concussion protocol, casting doubt on his availability for the upcoming contests in the best‑of‑seven matchup, including Game 3 scheduled for Friday. Under the league's medical guidelines, any player placed in the concussion protocol must observe a minimum 48‑hour period of inactivity, followed by a series of progressive assessments. The athlete must clear neurological testing, demonstrate symptom‑free performance on a battery of cognitive and balance benchmarks, and receive final clearance from the team physician in consultation with the league’s concussion protocol director.
"He has a concussion. He's in the protocol.
We'll take the proper and appropriate steps," Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said, emphasizing that the team will adhere strictly to the established procedures. "The protocol is the protocol. We'll just follow it as everyone else does and plan accordingly." The injury forced San Antonio to adjust on the fly. Despite Wembanyama's absence, the Spurs built a 14‑point cushion early in the fourth quarter, suggesting they could survive without their star.
However, Portland responded with a defensive lockdown, denying the Spurs a field goal for the final three and a half minutes. An 11‑2 run capped by a Robert Williams III alley‑oop dunk with 12 seconds left gave the Blazers a 104‑101 edge, after Deni Avdija fought his way through the paint to feed the ball. In other playoff action, the Los Angeles Lakers, shorthanded but still formidable, overcame the Houston Rockets 101‑94, extending their first‑round lead to 2‑0.
LeBron James posted 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while veteran guard Marcus Smart contributed 25 points and seven assists. The Lakers have repeatedly found ways to win despite missing key pieces such as Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, relying on a collective effort anchored by James, now 41, whose leadership continues to drive the team. Kevin Durant returned for the Lakers in Game 2, but managed only three of his 23 points after halftime as the Lakers' tenacious defense forced him into low‑percentage shots.
Luke Kennard added 23 points and sealed the victory with two free throws in the final minute, after Smart set up a dramatic dunk by James with 55 seconds left. On the Eastern side, the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics split their opening games, with Philadelphia prevailing 111‑97 to even the series at 1‑1. VJ Edgecombe proved resilient, scoring 30 points and pulling down 10 rebounds while playing through pain from an early fall.
He knocked down six of the 76ers' 19 three‑pointers, providing a crucial spark. The Celtics trimmed a seven‑point deficit to 91‑89 early in the fourth quarter, but a decisive 11‑0 run by Philadelphia pushed the lead to 102‑89 with just over four minutes remaining.
Boston withdrew its starters with a little more than a minute left, conceding the game. The broader playoff landscape continues to unfold across multiple matchups. Fans can catch the 2026 NBA playoffs live on Sky Sports, with the next featured game pitting the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Phoenix Suns on Sky Sports Main Event at 3 a.m.
Thursday. As the series progress, the health of Victor Wembanyma will remain a focal point. If he clears the concussion protocol, his unique blend of size, shooting range, and defensive versatility could dramatically shift the balance of power in the Western Conference.
Until then, both the Spurs and their opponents must adapt, strategize, and rely on depth to navigate the high‑stakes environment of postseason basketball.