The San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves are now tied 2-2 in their Western Conference semifinal series after a dramatic Game 4 that saw Victor Wembanyama ejected for the first time in his NBA career.
Wembanyama was thrown out during the second quarter of Sundayâs 114-109 loss after officials upgraded his foul on Timberwolves forward Naz Reid to a Flagrant 2 following a video review. The Spurs star swung his elbow after being surrounded by Reid and Jaden McDaniels while fighting for a rebound, making contact with Reid above the neck.
The play immediately became one of the biggest talking points of the postseason, especially with Game 5 set for Tuesday in San Antonio. ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins said after the game that the moment could have major consequences for both Wembanyama and the series moving forward.
Kendrick Perkins Warns Victor Wembanyama About Possible Suspension
GettyKendrick Perkins addresses Victor Wembanyama ejection and possible suspension
Perkins said Wembanyama has to stay composed despite Minnesota’s physical style throughout the series.
âWell, you got to keep your composure,â Perkins said during the postgame broadcast. âNumber one. Number two, it was the right call by the officials. You had to throw him out because we all saw that it was intentional.â
Perkins added that the NBA could still decide to review the play further ahead of Game 5.
âAnd itâs going to be interesting to see what the league determines or what they come up with as they continue to investigate this situation because if heâs suspended for Game 5, man, this may change the whole dynamic of this series,â Perkins said.
The former NBA champion also said the incident could become a defining moment for Wembanyama if the Spurs fail to advance.
âThis is one of those moments that Minnesota complete the mission that Wimby is going to look back and have all type of regrets,â Perkins said.
The ejection happened with 8:53 remaining in the second quarter. After officials announced the Flagrant 2 decision, Wembanyama appeared confused and asked teammate Harrison Barnes what the ruling meant before realizing he had been ejected.
The 7-foot-4 star finished with four points, four rebounds, and three fouls in 13 minutes.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson defended his player afterward and criticized the level of physicality directed at Wembanyama throughout the series.
âAt some stage, he should be protected,â Johnson said. âIf not, heâs going to have to protect himself, and unfortunately stuff like that happens.â
Johnson also rejected the idea that Wembanyama deserves additional discipline.
âThere was zero intent,â Johnson said. âI think it would be ridiculous.â
Anthony Edwards Leads Minnesota Timberwolves After Victor Wembanyama Exit
GettyMinnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards
Minnesota took control late after Wembanyamaâs exit, with Anthony Edwards delivering another strong fourth-quarter performance.
Edwards scored 30 points overall and had 16 points in the final quarter as the Timberwolves erased San Antonioâs momentum and evened the series heading back to Texas.
Perkins pointed directly to Wembanyamaâs absence as a major reason Edwards could attack more aggressively.
âWell I just saw a guy that wasnât waiting on anybody,â Perkins said. âWithout Wimby in the game, the lane opens up.â
Perkins also praised Edwards for taking over in a critical playoff moment.
âWe saw Anthony Edwards who we thought he is, right? A special individual,â Perkins said. âOnce he get it going and he can get downhill with no 7-7 Defensive Player of the Year presence for him, then all of a sudden we see the results like we see tonight.â
Naz Reid stayed in the game after the contact and finished with 15 points and nine rebounds despite later dealing with an ankle issue.
âPain is weakness leaving the body,â Reid said after the game.
Minnesotaâs defense again frustrated Wembanyama throughout the night, with Reid, McDaniels, and Julius Randle all spending time defending him physically in the paint and around the perimeter.
Now the focus shifts to the league office and whether any additional punishment will follow before Game 5.
The winner of Tuesdayâs game in San Antonio will take a 3-2 series lead in one of the most physical playoff matchups of the postseason.
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