Scoot Henderson delivered a 31-point performance as the Portland Trail Blazers capitalized on a mishap involving San Antonio's star center Victor Wembanyama, pulling off a 106-103 comeback win that leveled the Western Conference playoff series at one game each. The incident occurred early in the second quarter when Wembanyama was fouled by Jrue Holiday, causing him to fall forward and strike his jaw on the hardwood. The impact forced the 7-foot-4, 230-pound forward into the NBA's concussion protocol, casting doubt on his availability for the upcoming contests in the best-of-seven series, beginning with Game Three scheduled for Friday. Under the league's concussion guidelines, any player placed in the protocol must observe a minimum 48-hour period of rest and recovery.
After that, the athlete must pass a series of neurological assessments and demonstrate the absence of symptoms before receiving clearance to return. The final decision rests with the team physician in consultation with the NBA's concussion protocol director. Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson confirmed the situation, stating, "He has a concussion. He's in the protocol.
We'll take the proper and appropriate steps. The protocol is the protocol.
We'll just follow it as everyone else does and plan accordingly." Portland's victory was not solely a product of the Spurs' misfortune. The Trail Blazers executed a disciplined defensive plan, limiting San Antonio's scoring opportunities in the final minutes.
After building a 14-point advantage early in the fourth quarter, the Spurs saw their offense stall. The Blazers responded with a decisive 11-2 run, holding the Spurs scoreless for the last three and a half minutes. With 12 seconds left, Robert Williams III finished an alley‑oop dunk to push Portland's lead to 104-101 after Deni Avdija drove through the paint and fed the ball to Williams. The broader playoff night featured several other notable storylines.
In Los Angeles, a short‑handed Lakers squad, missing key contributors, managed to defeat the Houston Rockets 101-94, giving them a commanding 2-0 series lead. LeBron James posted 28 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, while veteran guard Marcus Smart added 25 points and seven assists. The Lakers have repeatedly demonstrated resilience, overcoming the absences of stars like Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves in previous rounds, and they continued that trend despite Kevin Durant's return for the Phoenix Suns, who managed only three of his 23 points after halftime. Luke Kennard contributed 23 points for the Lakers, and a late surge saw Smart deliver a dramatic alley‑oop dunk with 55 seconds remaining, followed by Kennard's clutch free throws that sealed the win.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference saw the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics split their opening games, with Philadelphia prevailing 111-97 to even the series at one apiece. VJ Edgecombe was a standout for the Sixers, scoring 30 points and pulling down 10 rebounds while playing through pain from an early‑game fall. He also knocked down six of the team's 19 three‑pointers. The Celtics attempted a comeback in the fourth quarter, trimming a seven‑point deficit to 91-89 before a decisive 11‑0 run by Philadelphia restored a comfortable lead of 102-89 with just over four minutes left.
Boston's coaches elected to pull their starters with a little more than a minute remaining, acknowledging the uphill battle. Beyond the immediate games, the night highlighted several human‑interest stories across the league.
NBA All‑Star Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James were announced as teammates for an "older US team" under a new All‑Star format, showcasing the league's evolving approach to showcase events. In other news, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Tópic disclosed a diagnosis of testicular cancer and began chemotherapy, while former Denver Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan shared his transition to a plant‑based diet and involvement with the Green Action League. Curry reflected on his own journey, noting that despite being considered undersized and failing an early eye test, his mindset propelled him to NBA greatness.
The playoffs also featured a poignant moment when Bronny James was discharged from the hospital after a cardiac arrest during a training session, with his cardiologist confirming his full recovery. This development added an emotional layer to the ongoing postseason narrative.
Looking ahead, the Spurs must assess Wembanyama's condition and determine his readiness for Game Three against Portland. The concussion protocol is designed to protect players' long‑term health, and the team will likely adopt a cautious approach, potentially adjusting their game plan to compensate for the loss of their premier big man.
Meanwhile, Portland will aim to exploit any defensive lapses by San Antonio, hoping to seize a series advantage. Fans can continue to follow the drama of the 2026 NBA playoffs on Sky Sports, with the next matchup featuring the Oklahoma City Thunder versus the Phoenix Suns airing on Sky Sports Main Event at 3 a.m. on Thursday.
The convergence of high‑stakes basketball, player health updates, and personal stories ensures that the postseason remains a compelling spectacle for audiences worldwide.