Victor Wembanyama was ejected for the first time in his career during Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Minnesota Timberwolves. While surprised by the decision at the time, the young star appeared to channel the experience into motivation as the Spurs routed Minnesota in Game 5.
After a physical sequence in Minnesota, Wembanyama elbowed Naz Reid in the second quarter and was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul, resulting in an automatic ejection. Wembanyama initially appeared confused by the call and had to confirm the ejection with teammate Harrison Barnes.
Victor Wembanyama commits a level two flagrant foul against Naz Reid at Target Center. Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
The Spurs went on to lose Game 4, though coach Mitch Johnson defended Wembanyama’s actions afterward. The Defensive Player of the Year winner avoided further punishment from the NBA, and when asked Tuesday whether he regretted elbowing Reid, the 22-year-old declined to revisit the incident.
“It was two games ago,” Wembanyama said, via San Antonio Express-News’ Tom Orsborn. “It’s the playoffs. I was focused on the game today, and now, I’m focusing on the game in Minnesota in three days. It’s the playoffs. We got to move on, and I got to care about my team.”
Wembanyama also avoided discussing the ejection during his on-court interview with NBC, instead shifting the focus to the result.
“We won,” he said. “That’s the point. But as I said, the job’s not finished. We need to win one more game to get to the conference finals.”
These responses appeared to reflect a deliberate approach by Wembanyama, and, like coach Johnson, he did not seem particularly regretful about the incident as well.
Wembanyama finished Tuesday night with 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks while shooting 9-of-16 from the field, including two three-pointers, in the Spurs’ 126-97 victory. He received strong support from De’Aaron Fox, who scored 17 points, Stephon Castle, who added 18, and Keldon Johnson, who chipped in 21.
“The one word I would like to use is ‘mature.’ I think there’s a lot that happened in the last 48 hours and the last game,” Johnson said about Wembanyam in the postgame conference.
“I think the way that young man came out tonight and played in a variety of ways, in a variety of situations, not just in terms of his production, was extremely mature.”
Minnesota, meanwhile, struggled to handle San Antonio’s defensive pressure on Anthony Edwards, who finished with 20 points, two rebounds, and two assists. Julius Randle added 17 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.
The series now shifts back to Minnesota for Game 6, with Wembanyama looking to push the Spurs into their first Western Conference Finals appearance since 2017.
Related: Fans React to NBA’s Decision on Victor Wembanyama Punishment
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on May 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
