Mitch Johnson is glad Victor Wembanyama is learning how to protect himself after the elbow

Mitch Johnson is glad Victor Wembanyama is learning how to protect himself after the elbow originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Game 5 between the San Antonio Spurs and the Minnesota Timberwolves went in the latter's way. However, the main story from the game was Victor Wembanyama's ejection after he hit Naz Reid in the head with an elbow.

It was a worthy ejection because it was clearly a big blow to Reid's head. This was Wembanyama's first career ejection, but Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson believes this is a consequence of teams playing physical defense against the Frenchman.

Mitch Johnson calls out the physicality Victor Wembanyama has to face

Game 4 was a competitive matchup between the Spurs and Timberwolves, even when San Antonio lost Wembanyama. It would have been a different game had the Frenchman stayed in the game, but the Timberwolves took advantage.

Anthony Edwards did admit it was a harder game because they had to adjust their strategy since Wembanyama was not there anymore. Thankfully for the Timberwolves, they got the win and tied the series 2-2.

MORE: The reason why Victor Wembanyama got ejected in Game 4

As the Spurs' head coach, Johnson has become familiar with the physicality Wembanyama faces. He has been unhappy with how teams play against Wemby, so he was quite candid after the game.

"I just think that the amount of physicality people play with, with him, at some level, you have to protect himself. Every single play, every single part of the floor, people were trying to impose their physicality on him. I get it, we get it, it's part of the game," Johnson said after Game 4 in his presser.

"At some stage, he has to be protected. If not, he has to protect himself. Unfortunately, stuff like that happens… I think it's getting hit on every play, so at times, you have to create a lead."

Now, the Spurs will be waiting for the situation's ending. It is not yet over because Wemby's status for Game 5 is in jeopardy, but the NBA will be the one to decide that ahead of Tuesday's Game 5.