After taking two blows to the head in a fall Tuesday night, Thunder forward Nerlens Noel was diagnosed with a concussion, the team announced Wednesday.
Noel has entered the NBA's mandated return-to-participation protocol, making him unlikely to be available for the Thursday's game against the Spurs. Players who enter concussion protocol must exhibit symptom-free behavior and pass a series of baseline tests before resuming basketball activities. Recovery times vary, depending on the severity of the head injury and the individual.
Noel was carried off the court on a stretcher in the third quarter of the Thunder's 119-117 loss Tuesday night to Minnesota at Chesapeake Energy Arena.