Why Spurs coach Mitch Johnson says he's glad Victor Wembanyama took matters into his own hands originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Minnesota Timberwolves capitalized on Victor Wembanyama’s absence following his Game 4 ejection and pulled out a 114-109 win over the San Antonio Spurs. The win allowed the Wolves to even the Western Conference semifinal series at 2-2.
While Wembanyama was ejected for the first time in his NBA career after the physical altercation with Naz Reid, Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson publicly supported his superstar after the game.
"I'm glad he took matters into his own hands,” Johnson said in the post-game press conference. “Not in terms of hitting Naz Reid, I want to be very clear about that. I'm glad Naz Reid is okay … but [Wemby's] going to have to protect himself if [the refs] are not. The amount of physicality that people play with him, at some level, you have to protect yourself."
Johnson’s comments seem to imply that if officials are not going to properly protect his player, Wembanyama may need to use his own strength and physicality to create space on the court. As for the ejection itself, it came with 8:39 remaining in the second quarter, resulting in Wembanyama missing more than half of the game. He finished with only 4 points and 4 rebounds in 12 minutes of action.
The NBA is currently reviewing the situation for possible additional discipline, but most around the league still expect Wembanyama to suit up for Game 5 on Tuesday. A Flagrant 2 foul usually does not automatically result in a suspension unless the act was especially severe or intentional.
If Wembanyama is cleared to play, the atmosphere inside Frost Bank Center is expected to be intense for Game 5. However, if the NBA hands down a suspension, it would deal a big blow to the Spurs’ hopes of advancing to the Western Conference Finals.
More NBA news:
-
Charles Barkley’s hilarious broom sweep perfectly captures LeBron James and Lakers’ dire 0-3 situation
-
What caused Victor Wembanyama to lose his cool during his playoff masterclass
-
Is Mike Schmitz the missing piece in Masai Ujiri’s Mavericks rebuild?
-
This James Harden injury concern emerges at the worst possible time for Cavaliers
-
Why Donovan Mitchell trade makes sense for Rockets to win a championship
-
This might be the only way Adam Silver can fix the NBA's flopping problem
-
Dirk Nowitzki explains why JJ Redick’s referee complaints feel 'brand new' after Lakers’ Game 2 loss
