Victor Wembanyama has been quite the dominant defensive force in the 2026 NBA playoffs, and especially so in their Western Conference semifinal clash against the Minnesota Timberwolves. And then in the San Antonio Spurs' win in Game 3, Wembanyama came alive on the offensive end as well — recording 39 points in a 115-108 victory.
With how important he is to the team, Wembanyama must have known that he messed up when he threw a nasty elbow towards Naz Reid's jaw — resulting in his ejection from the game in the second quarter of Game 4. In the end, the Spurs, similar to how they lost Game 1, sputtered in the clutch, with the Timberwolves taking a 114-109 victory to even up the series at 2-2.
As a result of getting himself ejected after just 12 minutes of playing time, Wembanyama reached a new low. Not only was this the Spurs star's first career ejection, the four points he scored on Sunday night were the fewest he's recorded in a single game in his NBA career thus far, as pointed out by ESPN Insights on X (formerly Twitter).
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The Spurs missed Wembanyama badly towards the end of their Game 4 loss. The Timberwolves went to a big lineup that had Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid on the frontcourt, with Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels in the backcourt. Minnesota ended up bludgeoning them on the interior, with Luke Kornet not being able to offer up much resistance.
This is a learning moment for Wembanyama; due to how good he is already, it can be difficult to remember that he's only 22 years of age. Being the best player for an NBA team comes with the responsibility of showing up for them at the most dire times of need. And for Wembanyama, he cannot be losing his cool like that, not when that turn of events can swing the series.
Victor Wembanyama has been quite the dominant defensive force in the 2026 NBA playoffs, and especially so in their Western Conference semifinal clash against the Minnesota Timberwolves. And then in the San Antonio Spurs' win in Game 3, Wembanyama came alive on the offensive end as well — recording 39 points in a 115-108 victory.