Victor Wembanyama, the towering figure for the San Antonio Spurs, was removed from Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday due to a Flagrant 2 foul. The infraction, which involved an elbow strike to Naz Reid's chin, resulted in his first career ejection from a game.
The incident occurred in the second quarter, specifically with 8:40 remaining, as Wembanyama was contending for an offensive rebound against Reid and Jaden McDaniels. A video review by the referees confirmed excessive contact above the neck, leading to the immediate disqualification. Wembanyama departed the game after registering four points, four rebounds, and one assist in approximately 12 minutes of play.
The foul's severity, a Flagrant 2, mandates an automatic ejection in the NBA. This development marks a significant disruption for the Spurs in a critical playoff series. Despite the setback, reports indicate Wembanyama interacted with his teammates on the bench following his removal, offering encouragement.
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"He doesn’t complain one time," Spurs coach Mitch Johnson stated post-game, addressing Wembanyama's reaction.
The match, part of the Western Conference semifinals, saw the Timberwolves ultimately secure a 114-109 victory over the Spurs, who were leading the series 2-1 entering this contest. Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday in San Antonio.
