Will Wemby Get Suspended? Windhorst Weighs In After Spurs Star Ejected for Elbowing Naz Reid in Loss
One prominent NBA insider doesn't expect San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama to miss additional time following his ejection in Sunday's 114-109 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst said Monday on SportsCenter he feels Wembanyama will receive a fine from the league office for his Flagrant 2 foul on Timberwolves center Naz Reid. A suspension is unlikely:
"This was a Grade A example of a flagrant foul; it had all the markers: Unnecessary, excessive, wind up and hit above the shoulders. The Spurs, I guess, had to go through the motions of defending their player, but this was absolutely completely unacceptable, and it significantly hurt his team to get ejected in the second quarter. And because he was out for over a half, I believe the NBA will consider that as satisfactory punishment and he will avoid suspension. But I would highly recommend him not doing something like that again this postseason."
Midway through the second quarter, Wembanyama pulled down a rebound. Reid and teammate Jaden McDaniels jostled for the ball, leading Wemby to swing his right elbow and connect around Reid's jaw.
It looked like his absence wouldn't be a factor in the outcome. San Antonio led 84-80 heading into the fourth quarter. But Anthony Edwards' 16 points in the final frame powered the Wolves to a win, evening the series at 2-2.
Missing Wembanyama in Game 5 would obviously be costly for the Spurs. Through the first three games, he averaged 23.0 points, 15.0 rebounds and 6.3 blocks.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson made his thoughts very clear when he told reporters that tacking a suspension onto Wembanyama's ejection "would be ridiculous." He also argued the two-time All-Star's elbow on Reid was partially a reflection of the officiating.
"It's starting to get disgusting in terms of when he tries to fight through things, be professional and mature and deal with some of that stuff," Johnson said. "I'm glad he took matters into his own hands. Not in terms of hitting Naz Reid, but he's going to have to protect himself if they're not. And I think it's disgusting."
The series heads back to San Antonio on Tuesday as the Wolves and Spurs try to break the deadlock. Fans of both teams are eagerly awaiting the official announcement from the league clarifying Wembanyama's status.
