Victor Wembanyama is the main attraction of this year’s NBA playoffs. The last thing anyone wants is for him to miss games.
But that’s exactly what should happen after the 7-foot-4 phenom elbowed Naz Reid in the neck and got himself ejected from Sunday’s game. The NBA can’t let that slide without a suspension.
Well, I guess it could. We’ll find out soon enough. But the league shouldn’t let it slide.
Admittedly, it’s a tough spot Wembanyama has put the NBA in. Because there are plenty of people ready to make excuses and overlook what appeared to be an intentional hostile act. Remember, he’s the main attraction here. But it’s a precedent the league likely doesn’t want to set, that it’s OK to throw bows out of frustration. Once you let Wembanyama get away with something like this, it becomes harder to hold others accountable for the same thing.
SHOCK & AWE: Dylan Harper’s reaction to the elbow was priceless
Even tougher is the spot Wemby potentially put the Spurs in. If they have to play Game 5 without him, and fall to within one game of elimination as a result, Wembanyama won’t ever live it down if they fail to recover. Even if he goes on to have a long and successful career, he’ll remember what could have been in 2026.
So what the Timberwolves are being physical, as the Spurs complained after the game? Make your plea in the presser, take it up with the league or match their physicality on the floor. Do all the things other teams do when they’re unhappy with officiating. But under no circumstances can you come out of character and put yourself in position to be suspended.
Just ask Draymond Green, who probably cost the Golden State Warriors the 2016 title with his suspension against the Cavs. The type of thing that continued to haunt him at the Kevin Hart roast last night.
DEFINE PAIN: Naz Reid’s 8-word response to Wemby’s elbow
But these are the playoff growing pains everyone warned about regarding the Spurs. These are the battles they haven’t been tested with yet. The good thing is they aren’t facing elimination just yet. The series is still tied 2-2. So, even if Wembanyama is suspended a game, he still has time to recover and make this a lesson learned less painfully.
Wizards land the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft… finally
The Wizards hold the No. 1 pick in a draft with some incredible talent at the top.
At long last, the Washington Wizards have the top pick in the draft.
With John Wall, their last No. 1 overall pick from 2010, in the building Sunday, the Wizards won the NBA draft lottery after falling short the previous two years with top odds. However, not every team came out of the lottery as fortunate. The Nets and Pacers were among the biggest losers, writers Robert Zeglinski.
Regardless, the order for the top of the draft is set. Now, we can turn our attention to the prospects — and mock drafts of how they’ll come off the board.
Quick hits: Sad Haliburton … not domin-Ayton … and more
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Tyrese Haliburton posted a sad meme after the Pacers dropped out of the top three of the lottery and lost their pick altogether.
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Bobby Cox, the legendary former Atlanta Braves manager, died at 84, the team announced Saturday.
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ESPN’s broadcasters obliterated Deandre Ayton for his rebounding effort in the Lakers’ Game 3 loss.
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The Sabres’ Tage Thompson had an interesting answer to whether he’s injured or just in the middle of a cold streak at the wrong time.
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This article originally appeared on For The Win: Victor Wembanyama puts Spurs in tough spot with potential suspension
