San Antontio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was ejected from Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves
San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was ejected with 8:39 left in the 2nd quarter of Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves after swinging his elbows wildly and connecting with Naz Reid’s throat. He was whistled for flagrant 2.
At the time of penalty, the Timberwolves led 36-34.
Steve Popper
It’s crazy, but you do get ejected if you throw a wild elbow to a guy’s chin. Wemby tossed for a Flagrant 2.
Officials ruled the contact severe enough to remove Wembanyama from the game. Under NBA officiating guidance, a Flagrant Foul Penalty 2 results in two free throws, possession for the offended team and an ejection for the player who committed the foul. The NBA’s own video rulebook describes a Flagrant 2 as “unnecessary and excessive” contact and notes that potentially flagrant fouls are reviewed by instant replay.
Kellan Olson
Victor Wembanyama’s Ejection Hands Timberwolves a Major Opening
The Spurs entered Game 4 with a 2-1 series lead after Wembanyama delivered a dominant Game 3 performance. He had 39 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks in San Antonio’s 115-108 win over Minnesota, a victory that gave the Spurs control of the series and put the Timberwolves under pressure at home.
It removed San Antonio’s best rim protector, top matchup problem and late-clock safety valve before halftime of a game that was separated by one possession.
Minnesota’s path became clearer the moment Wembanyama left. The Timberwolves could attack the paint with less hesitation, put more pressure on San Antonio’s smaller lineups and force the Spurs to defend without the same back-line eraser behind every possession.
The Spurs still had De’Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell, Stephon Castle and enough shooting to stay in the game. But Wembanyama changes the geometry of the floor in ways that do not show up only in points and rebounds. Drivers pull up earlier. Bigs rush shots. Weak-side cutters think twice. Without him, Minnesota’s offense had a chance to become more direct.
Will Victor Wembanyamba be Suspended?
The next question is whether the ejection ends with Game 4 or becomes a larger series issue.
A Flagrant 2 does not automatically mean a suspension, but the NBA can review dangerous plays and issue additional discipline when warranted. That makes the league’s postgame assessment worth watching, especially because the contact involved Reid’s throat/head area and came from a swinging elbow.