San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama reacts after being ejected from an NBA playoff game against the Minnesota Timberwolves for a flagrant foul on Naz Reid (David Berding)” />
San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was ejected from Sunday’s NBA playoff game after striking Minnesota Timberwolves’ Naz Reid in the jaw with his elbow during the second quarter. The Spurs ultimately fell 114-109, tying the best‑of‑seven series at two games apiece.
This marked the first time in Wembanyama’s NBA career that he was thrown out of a game. When officials announced the flagrant foul level two penalty, the 22‑year‑old French phenom had to ask teammate Harrison Barnes for clarification on what it meant.
The Timberwolves held a 36‑34 lead with 8:39 left in the second quarter when Wembanyama grabbed an offensive rebound and found himself battling Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels and Reid. McDaniels collided with Wembanyama, who spun to his right with his elbow raised, driving it backward and connecting hard with Reid’s jaw. He was immediately called for a foul, and after review, officials deemed it unnecessary and excessive contact, leading to an automatic ejection.
As he realized he was being tossed, Wembanyama made a point of high‑fiving each of his teammates before leaving the court.
Even without him, the second‑seeded Spurs held an eight‑point lead early in the fourth quarter before the Timberwolves rallied to win. Wembanyama had dazzled with 39 points in the Spurs’ Game 3 victory on Friday, but managed only four points and four rebounds before his early exit on Sunday.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said he did not believe Wembanyama intended to throw his elbow, but was reacting to the physical challenge from the Timberwolves. He noted that his 7‑foot‑4 (2.24m) star absorbs aggressive contact game after game without getting 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. I get it, we get it, that’s part of the game. He doesn’t complain one time. We don’t complain… but at some stage he should be protected and if not, he’s going to have to protect himself. And unfortunate stuff like that happens.”
The league can review the play and impose further punishment, including a fine or a suspension. “Anything more would be ridiculous,” said Johnson, whose Spurs host Game 5 on Tuesday.