PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) \u2014 San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was disappointed with how his return from a concussion was handled.<\/p>\n
The Spurs announced about an hour before tipoff Sunday that Wembanyama could play in Game 4 of the team\u2019s first-round series against the Portland Trail Blazers after clearing the league\u2019s concussion protocol. He went on to score 27 points with 11 rebounds and seven blocks in San Antonio\u2019s 114-93 win<\/a>. <\/p>\n Wembanyama, the league\u2019s first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year<\/a>, was ruled out of Game 3 on Friday in Portland because of the concussion. The Spurs won 120-108<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cThe way the situation was handled was very disappointing,\u201d Wembanyama said Sunday. He would not elaborate, but emphasized that he was not referring to San Antonio\u2019s medical staff. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not saying that not playing was a good or bad decision. It was a decision, I\u2019m not saying it was good or bad,\u201d he said. \u201cBut the way the situation was handled, very disappointing.\u201d<\/p>\n Wembanyama sustained the concussion in the first half of Tuesday\u2019s 106-103 loss to the Blazers<\/a> in San Antonio and did not return to the game. He traveled to Portland while continuing to complete the steps mandated by the league\u2019s concussion protocol<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t get into details, I don\u2019t want it to become a distraction. Ask me again after the end of the season,\u201d Wembanyama said.<\/p>\n A versatile 7-foot-4 forward from France, Wembanyama averaged 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and a league-best 3.1 blocks per game this season.<\/p>\n Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said before tipoff Sunday that the team was prepared to play with or without Wembanyama, who was listed as questionable going into the game. <\/p>\n \u201cFortunately, we have a little experience preparing for a variety of lineups and rotations,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cI think the guys have really empowered us as a staff, I\u2019d say, throughout the season, of being able to have a brand and identity regardless of availability.\u201d<\/p>\n With Sunday\u2019s win, the Spurs took a 3-1 lead in the first-round series, which shifts to Game 5 in San Antonio on Sunday. <\/p>\n Luke Kornet got the Game 3 start against the Trail Blazers in Wembanyama\u2019s absence, finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds. <\/p>\n Players must clear a series of benchmarks before they are allowed to play under the concussion protocol. The results are compared to baseline neurological evaluations players take at the start of the season.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n