Victor Wembanyama was ejected from a playoff game for the first time in his NBA career after delivering an elbow to the jaw of Minnesota's Naz Reid during the second quarter of San Antonio's 114-109 loss on Sunday. The incident occurred with 8:39 left in the second quarter when Wembanyama, battling for an offensive rebound, spun to his right with his elbow raised, striking Reid after contact with Minnesota's Jaden McDaniels. Officials reviewed the play and called a flagrant foul level two, resulting in automatic ejection. At the time, the Timberwolves led 36-34.
Wembanyama, 22, had to ask teammate Harrison Barnes what a flagrant two meant when the call was announced. Before his exit, he recorded four points and four rebounds, a quiet performance compared to his 39-point outing in Friday's game three victory. Despite playing without him for much of the game, the second-seeded Spurs built an eight-point lead in the fourth quarter before Minnesota rallied to tie the best-of-seven series at two games apiece. Wembanyama high-fived all his teammates as he left the court.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said he did not believe the French star intended to strike Reid but was reacting to consistent physical challenges. Johnson noted that Wembanyama, standing 7-foot-4, faces aggressive contact throughout games without receiving calls from officials. "The amount of physicality that people play with him – at some level you have to protect yourself," Johnson said. "Every single play on every single part of the floor people are trying to impose their physicality on him." He added that the team does not complain but acknowledged that protection from officials is lacking. Johnson called any further punishment for Wembanyama "ridiculous." NBA officials may still review the play for potential fines or suspension. Game five is set for Tuesday in San Antonio.
Mitch Johnson claims Wembanyama had to protect himself from constant physical challenges, yet the same player was ejected for doing exactly that. His argument exposes a contradiction: if the league allows opponents to target Wembanyama physically, it cannot then penalise his reaction without addressing the pattern. The Spurs' reliance on a player who draws such contact makes his lack of protection a direct liability. Any suspension would deepen the team's struggle in a tightly contested series.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
