Controversy arose during Game 3 of the NBA Finals when San Antonio Spurs center seemingly tossed New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson to the ground. With things getting chippy in the championship round of the playoffs, Brunson's teammate, Jose Alvarado, shared a warning to the Spurs' big man.
The incident between Wembanyama and Brunson took place during the first quarter of the 115-111 Game 3 loss for the Knicks. It was a play that seemed like a clear foul, but officials somehow missed it entirely. Alvarado claimed that Wemby's no-call foul is not a basketball play, and that will be the last time the 7-foot-4 center tosses Brunson to the floor like that again, according to Zach Braziller of the New York Post.
“I think that's not basketball,” said Alvarado about Wembanyama's foul on Brunson. “That's something that they gotta look at. But [Wembanyama] got away with one. That'll be the last one.”
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The playoffs are well-known to be a bit more physical than the regular season in the NBA. However, players can't just toss opponents to the ground willy-nilly either. Even the league admitted after the contest that officials missed calling a foul on the 22-year-old center for shoving Brunson to the ground in the first quarter. So, officials will likely keep a closer eye on things for Game 4 and onward.
While Game 3 didn't end the way the Knicks had hoped, the club still holds a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals. Two more wins give New York its first championship since 1973. The club will have an opportunity to take a commanding 3-1 lead in Game 4 on Wednesday, with Game 5 scheduled for Saturday in San Antonio.
Controversy arose during Game 3 of the NBA Finals when San Antonio Spurs center seemingly tossed New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson to the ground. With things getting chippy in the championship round of the playoffs, Brunson's teammate, Jose Alvarado, shared a warning to the Spurs' big man.