Wemby Suspension, Fine Decision Reportedly Made by NBA After Elbowing Naz Reid in Spurs Loss
San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama won't be fined or suspended by the NBA after he was ejected during the team's 114-109 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4 of their second-round series, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
Wembanyama was given a Flagrant 2 foul after his elbow struck Timberwolves center Naz Reid in the chin during the second quarter of Sunday's defeat.
Wembanyama recorded four points, four rebounds and one assist in 12 minutes on the floor before exiting the game.
San Antonio trailed 36-34 at the time he was ejected and ultimately wasn't able to overcome his absence, as Minnesota tied the series 2-2.
Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson didn't believe that Wembanyama's actions warranted any further discipline when speaking to reporters after the game.
"They did what they did because of the outcome of the play," Johnson said, per ESPN's Michael C. Wright. "So be it. But to have anything on top of that I think would be ridiculous."
A potential suspension for Wembanyama would have been a tough blow to San Antonio ahead of a pivotal Game 5 clash.
The 22-year-old has been key to the Spurs' success all year, averaging 25.0 points and 11.5 rebounds to go along with 3.1 blocks per game during the regular season. He also shot 51.2 percent from the field and 34.9 percent from behind the arc.
Wembanyama earned unanimous Defensive Player of the Year honors and was selected as an MVP finalist.
The Spurs owned a plus-17.0 net rating with him on the floor throughout the regular season compared to a plus-0.6 net rating with him off (via NBA.com).
Now, he'll be back on the court to help San Antonio attempt to take a 3-2 series lead and move one step closer to advancing to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2017.
Game 5 between the Spurs and Timberwolves is on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.
