Victor Wembanyama said he harnessed the frustration caused by the NBA's concussion protocol after leading the San Antonio Spurs to a third win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Spurs are 3-1 up in their first-round playoff series after Sunday's 114-93 victory at Moda Center, meaning they will progress with another win in Game 5 on Tuesday.

Wembanyama was forced to sit out Game 3 – a 120-108 success on Friday – after a face-first fall caused him to suffer a concussion in the first half of Game 2.

The MVP finalist was confident he would clear the concussion protocol in time for Friday's contest, but he was only given the green light around an hour before Sunday's game.  

And, having poured in 27 points to go with 12 rebounds, seven blocks and four steals, Wembanyama outlined the irritation caused by sitting out a game.

"It's special, obviously," Wembanyama said. "I had lots of emotions in me before the game, obviously. Some excitement and frustration. So, I let it all out today.

"I won't get into the details. I don't want it to become a distraction. Ask me again after the season. 

"All the doctors, especially on the Spurs, but the doctors all around, they were great, they took great care of me. 

"But the way the situation was handled was very disappointing. Not on the Spurs. But as I say, I won't get into details."

Second half statement 

First team in NBA playoff history to trail by 15+ points at half and win by 15+ points! pic.twitter.com/AghXD98v1k

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) April 26, 2026

The Spurs had to do things the hard way, having trailed by 17 points at the half. They then outscored the Blazers 73-35 in the second half, the second-largest point differential (38) in the second half of a playoff game in NBA history (after the Golden State Warriors' 39-point differential against the Houston Rockets in the 2018 Western Conference finals).

San Antonio also became the first team in NBA playoff history to trail by at least 15 points at halfway before winning by at least 15 points.

And Devin Vassell, who got nine of his 11 points in the third quarter, credited Wembanyama for taking the game by the scruff of the neck.

"That's Vic being the best player in the world and we know that he can do that," Vassell said. "For him to be able to dominate both ends doesn't really come as a surprise anymore. 

"You expect it. You expect that type of greatness from him, and that's what we need from him every game."

But Wembanyama would prefer the Spurs to lead from the front, adding: "We need to find the answers before having our backs against the wall. 

"But that also shows the strength of our team. In adversity, we stick together. We get closer to each other. We feed off each other's energy."