San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama will play in Game 5 of their NBA playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday. It was after the league decided not to punish him further for his actions in their previous showdown.
To recall, Wembanyama was ejected in the second quarter of Game 4 between the Spurs and Timberwolves after he hit Minnesota big man Naz Reid with an elbow to the neck. The referees slapped the French star with a Flagrant 2 foul, thereby forcing him out of the contest.
There were mumblings about the NBA potentially suspending him for his conduct or handing him additional fines. However, on Monday, Shams Charania of ESPN reported that “there will be no further discipline” for Wembanyama, not even a fine.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) looks on during a game.© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
While it was certainly good news for the Spurs and the San Antonio faithful, not everyone was a fan of the decision. In fact, one-time NBA champion Kendrick Perkins expressed his belief that the league made a mistake with how they handled Wembanyama’s punishment.
“Did the NBA get it right? In my opinion, no, because you prioritized superstardom and views over someone’s health,” Perkins said on SportsCenter.
Perkins also stated that he expects the “Timberwolves to come out angry because of the decision.”
Wembanyama averaged 23.0 points, 15.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 6.3 blocks in the first three games of the Western Conference semifinals against the Timberwolves, so his presence is definitely a game-changer for the Spurs as they try to retake the series lead.
As for the Timberwolves, it will be interesting to see if the NBA’s decision not to suspend Wemby gives them extra motivation.
Related: Former NBA Star Calls Out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s ‘Flat Out Dirty’ Move on Austin Reaves
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on May 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
