The Spurs’ loss was punishment enough for Victor Wembanyama.
Following the French big man’s ejection for elbowing the Timberwolves’ Naz Reid on Sunday, he will not face a suspension, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
During the Spurs’ Game 4 loss to Minnesota in their second-round series, Wembanyama was tossed with 8:39 left in the second quarter after whacking Reid in the face after fighting for possession.
The hard contact from the 7-foot-4 center sent Reid to the floor, though he was fine to continue playing and finished the game with 15 points in 31 minutes.
With Wembanyama sidelined for much of the contest, the Timberwolves took their chance to even the series, winning 114-109.
Anthony Edwards finished with a game-high 36 points, while Wembanyama was forced to leave the floor with just four points in 12 minutes.
While Wembanyama will be available to play in a pivotal Game 5, his wallet may take a hit as a result of his actions on Sunday.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said he believes “there’s a chance” the reigning Defensive Player of the Year gets fined for his elbow.
Nonetheless, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson defended Wembanyama for sticking up for himself amid a perceived lack of protection by the referees from the Timberwolves’ physical play.
Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts after he was ejected for a flagrant foul during the first half of Game 4. AP “I’m glad he took matters into his own hands. Not in terms of hitting Naz Reid, I want to be very clear about that,” Johnson told reporters.
“… But he’s going to have to protect himself if [the refs] are not. The amount of physicality that people play with, with him, at some level, you have to protect yourself.”
The Spurs will welcome Minnesota back to San Antonio on Tuesday night for a pivotal Game 5.
