Spurs’ Mitch Johnson speaks out on Victor Wembanyama’s controversial ejection appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Mitch Johnson provided his thoughts on Victor Wembanyama getting his first career ejection in the San Antonio Spurs’ Game 4 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night.
Wembanyama got an offensive foul call after throwing an elbow that struck Naz Reid early into the second quarter. After officials finished their video review of the hit, which caught Reid on the right side of his jaw and neck area and sent him spinning and crashing to the floor, referee Zach Zarba announced they upgraded the foul to a flagrant 2 for excessive contact above the neck. That penalty triggers an automatic ejection.
Johnson revealed his stance on the ejection after the game, per reporter Tom Orsborn. He pointed out the lack of consistency from officials protecting players, seeing physicality play a key factor in these decisions.
“It’s getting to a point that if the people that are in charge of controlling the game and protecting the physicality of the game don’t do that, then at some point he’s going to have to protect himself,” Johnson said.
How Victor Wembanyama, Spurs played against Timberwolves
Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs now have to come back to Minnesota, extending this series to six games after losing Game 4 to the Timberwolves.
Perimeter shooting and rebounding made the difference in this matchup. The Timberwolves prevailed in both categories after making 10 3-pointers on a 37% clip while securing 49 rebounds. It wasn’t the same for the Spurs as they only made six triples on 23% accuracy and grabbed 41 rebounds.
Four players scored in double-digits for San Antonio in the loss. De’Aaron Fox led the team with 24 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals. Dylan Harper came next with 24 points and seven rebounds, while Stephon Castle had 20 points and six rebounds. Meanwhile, Devin Vassell provided 14 points and three assists.
The Spurs will look to take back the series lead when they host the Timberwolves in a pivotal Game 5 clash. The contest commences on May 12 at 8 p.m. ET.
Related: Spurs’ Luke Kornet details toll on Victor Wembanyama amid physicality
Related: Will Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama be suspended for Game 5 after flagrant foul on Naz Reid?
