Kendrick Perkins accused the NBA of sending the wrong message after Victor Wembanyama avoided further punishment for his elbow on Naz Reid.
The issue for Perkins was not whether Wembanyama is important to the Spurs or to the league’s playoff product. It was whether that importance changed how the NBA handled a dangerous hit.
That is why his criticism landed so strongly. Perkins framed the decision as a test of Adam Silver’s league, player safety, and whether superstar value can outweigh basic discipline.
Photo by Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images
Victor Wembanyama’s decision left Kendrick Perkins angry
As SportsCenter showed, Kendrick Perkins argued that the NBA looked like it was protecting Victor Wembanyama’s star power rather than Naz Reid after the elbow incident.
“So you’re sitting up here telling me that you prioritize playoff basketball and superstardom over protecting a man who was hit in the face or in the neck area with a vicious elbow? That’s what you’re telling me?” Perkins asked.
He added, “Someone’s head that could have caused serious damage to him if that was a temple shot? That’s what you’re telling me, because Wemby is a star that he shouldn’t be penalized like anybody else? That’s unacceptable.”
Wembanyama was ejected from Game 4 after being assessed a Flagrant 2 for elbowing Reid in the second quarter. The Spurs went on to lose 114-109, with the Minnesota Timberwolves tying the series at 2-2.
That ejection was serious on its own. But the lack of added punishment is what turned the incident into a bigger league-wide argument.
NBA greed accusation came from the Victor Wembanyama outcome
Perkins then pushed the point beyond one play, warning that the NBA’s response would tell fans what the league actually values when a star player is involved.
“Well, I’mma tell you what, they better do it. And if they don’t, it’s going to be a horrible look for Adam Silver and the NBA.
“… And if they don’t suspend him, it’s going to tell a lot of fans what the NBA is about because it can’t be about protecting players,” Perkins continued.
“… And all eyes are watching because if the NBA decides not to suspend him, then they’re sending the message that they prioritize views, stardom, and money over a person’s well-being,” he concluded.
That was the real accusation. Perkins was saying the league risked looking greedy if Wembanyama’s availability mattered more than the act itself.
The optics were difficult because Wembanyama is one of the NBA’s biggest draws. Game 5 needed him, the Spurs needed him, and the league benefits when he is on the floor.
Still, Perkins’ point was about consistency. If another player had thrown the same elbow, he believes the reaction may have looked different.
Read more:
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Draymond Green sends pointed message after Victor Wembanyama’s ejection for Naz Reid elbow
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Naz Reid’s blunt answer on Wembanyama’s elbow leaves Edwards and Dosunmu laughing
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Victor Wembanyama suffers two unwanted career firsts against the Wolves
