Victor Wembanyama Ejected From Game 4 As Wolves Even Series
The Spurs lost Victor Wembanyama to his first career ejection after he received a flagrant foul 2 following an elbow to the neck and jaw of Timberwolves big man Naz Reid, writes Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com. The incident occurred with 8:39 remaining the second quarter of Sunday’s Game 4 in Minnesota (YouTube link), which the Wolves went on to win to even the series at two games apiece.
According to Wright, Wembanyama was initially called for an offensive foul but it was upgraded to a flagrant 2, which comes with an automatic ejection, upon review. The star center seemed confused about the penalty on the broadcast, appearing to ask teammate Harrison Barnes what it meant, Wright notes.
The NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year only had four points and four rebounds in 12 minutes after dominating and joining exclusive company in Game 3 with 39 points (on 13-of-18 shooting), 15 rebounds and five blocks in 37 minutes.
The incident will be reviewed further by the league office to determine if additional punishment may be warranted.
After the five-point loss, Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson defended the 22-year-old big man, according to Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News (Twitter links). While Johnson didn’t condone the elbow to Reid, he said Wembanyama was defending himself.
“It’s getting to a point that if the people that are in charge of controlling the game and protecting the physicality of the game don’t do that, then at some point he’s going to have to protect himself,” Johnson said. “… He’s going to have to protect himself if they’re not…It’s disgusting….I just think that the amount of physicality that people play with him at some level you have to protect yourself.”
Johnson added that he thought a possible suspension for Wembanyama “would be ridiculous.”
“There was zero intent,” he said (Twitter link via Orsborn).
Spurs Notes: Wemby, Edwards, Bryant, Two-Way Players
Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson made the “ultimate gamble” on Friday when he decided to leave Victor Wembanyama in the game after the star center picked up his fifth personal foul with six-plus minutes remaining, writes Jared Weiss of The Athletic. Instead of backfiring, the decision paid dividends, as San Antonio defeated Minnesota by seven points to regain home-court advantage in the Western Conference semifinals.
Wembanyama put up incredible numbers in the victory, recording 39 points (on 13-of-18 shooting), 15 rebounds and five blocks in 37 minutes. The Spurs were plus-16 when he was on the court and minus-nine in the 11 minutes he didn’t play.
“It’s the feeling I get before games, I dunno, this excitement, this heat in my heart,” Wembanyama told “NBA on Prime Video” after the Spurs’ win. “It just gets stronger and stronger as the game goes on. I’m built for this. I love this more than anything else.”
According to Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com, Wembanyama became the fourth player since blocks became an official statistic in 1973/74 to record a 35-15-5 stat line in the playoffs, joining Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O’Neal and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The French big man also limited his opponents to 4-of-21 shooting on field goals he contested, Wright adds.
“He really imposed himself on the game,” Johnson said. “He established himself dominating the paint and rim on both ends. When he does that, it kind of feels like everything opens up for himself and his teammates. Then he gets some shots on the perimeter. He gets some closeouts. He gets the gravity in terms of teams trying to be physical with him. He did a good job of playing though contact and not expecting calls. [He] just met the physicality with the proper execution.”
Here’s more on the Spurs, who are now up 2-1 in the second-round series:
- After Anthony Edwards scored 27 points through three quarters, Devin Vassell and Stephon Castle helped limit the Timberwolves star to five points in the final frame, per Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News. “We know he likes to get to that left-hand step back for sure, so we just tried to pressure him and make him go right,” Vassell said. “And then sending doubles, and doing stuff like that. But ultimately it was to wear him down all through the game, so at the end of the game, he wasn’t feeling comfortable.”
- Rookie forward Carter Bryant only played eight minutes in Game 3, but he made the most of his opportunity, knocking down both of his three-point attempts in the second quarter, Orsborn notes in another story. “I think the biggest thing is just coming in and just doing my job,” Bryant told the San Antonio Express-News. “Sometimes it calls for me to hit those two shots. Sometimes I miss those two shots, but I’m playing spectacular defense on the other end. So it’s just understanding you can’t allow yourself to get out of the game. Just something as simple as that.”
- Two-way players aren’t eligible to compete in the postseason, but Emanuel Miller, Harrison Ingram and David Jones Garcia are viewing this playoff run as an opportunity to learn and improve their games, according to Orsborn. “It’s something you can’t really put into words, seeing what we’re doing (to prepare),” said Miller. “It’s been a blessing, a learning experience for sure, learning from the best coaches, learning from (president Gregg Popovich), learning from the players, learning how to attack each game, how to attack each series and how they attack, really, each day.”
Wolves Notes: Edwards, Dosunmu, Finch, Randle
According to Timberwolves guard Mike Conley, “nobody” expected Anthony Edwards to be available for Game 1 of the second round on Monday after he suffered a left knee injury just nine days earlier that was projected to sideline him for multiple weeks.
However, as Anthony Slater of ESPN writes, Edwards made significant progress in his recovery over the weekend and was upgraded to questionable before being listed as available. The star guard was limited to 25 minutes off the bench, but scored 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting as Minnesota became the only one of four road teams to win Game 1.
“I know for a fact that me being out there calms everybody down,” Edwards said after the victory.
While Edwards presumably isn’t feeling 100%, he came through Game 1 with no setbacks, head coach Chris Finch said on Tuesday. According to Slater (Twitter link), it remains to be seen whether Edwards will be able to increase his minutes limit beyond that range of 25 in Game 2, but the plan was for him to do some light work and receive treatment on Tuesday in preparation for Wednesday’s contest.
Here’s more on the Wolves:
- Both Edwards and guard Ayo Dosunmu (right calf) are listed as questionable to play in Game 3, the Wolves announced (via Twitter). Dosunmu missed Game 6 of the first round vs. Denver as well as Game 1 vs. San Antonio due to that calf issue.
- Although the Wolves won Monday’s game, head coach Chris Finch is doing what he can to make sure the officials keep a closer eye on Spurs star Victor Wembanyama after the Defensive Player of the Year registered a playoff-record 12 blocked shots in Game 1. Speaking on Tuesday to reporters, including Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, Finch said he thought at least four of those 12 blocks should have been goaltends. “Maybe even a fifth,” he said. “To me, it’s a little alarming that none of them were called. Here’s a generational shot blocker who is 7-6, who goes after everything, and there’s no heightened awareness that these blocks could be goaltends?”
- With Edwards leading the offense, Rudy Gobert anchoring the defense, and Jaden McDaniels emerging as a two-way star, Julius Randle has flown somewhat under the radar in Minnesota this spring. However, the three-time All-Star forward is a crucial part of the Wolves’ game plan against San Antonio due to his ability to be physical with Wembanyama and the Spurs’ front line, writes Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic. “He’s the strongest player on the floor,” teammate Terrence Shannon Jr. said of Randle. “You know he can use his physicality against anybody. Any of them.”
Spurs Notes: Wembanyama, Bryant, Johnson, Team Chemistry
Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert have a long history together, with Gobert serving as something of a mentor for the Spurs‘ superstar as he was growing up, Tim Reynolds writes for The Associated Press.
“He’s meant a lot as a role model,” Wembanyama said. “There’s lots of (ways) that he inspired me and I think he should inspire more people in terms of taking care of your body. He should be a model for all big men. So, I would say that’s the main thing.”
Gobert was similarly complimentary of his fellow Frenchman, both on and off the court.
“I’m very excited to watch him grow every day, to see his work paying off,” Gobert said. “Outside of the talent, he’s someone that has a very unique soul, a very unique mind and nothing is an accident. It’s not an accident that he’s having the success that he’s having.”
Now the two Defensive Player of the Year winners are set to face off in Round 2 of the NBA playoffs, with Game 1 on Monday, and Wembanyama is excited to go up against a player he has long looked up to.
“It’s even more fun if I’m meant to play against Rudy,” he said, per Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops.
We have more Spurs news:
- Rookie forward Carter Bryant is being listed as questionable for Game 1 on Monday with a right foot sprain after the team had previously stated that everyone was healthy heading into the second round, Tom Orsborn writes for the San Antonio Express-News. Bryant played 9.2 minutes per game in the first round, hitting four of his nine three-point tries.
- Head coach Mitch Johnson wants his team, and himself, to “embrace the mundane” and not get caught up in the ups and downs of a playoff series, Orsborn writes. “I think the one thing that stuck with me at times is as much as you want to do (more) and as far as your mind wanders, you just keep doing the same thing (you did in the regular season) and do it better,” Johnson said. This is the message that Johnson has preached since the season started, and it becomes even more important in the playoffs. Stephon Castle had a simpler way of putting it. “Don’t get lackadaisical, don’t get satisfied, just stick to what is working,” Castle said. “Don’t get bored of doing things the right way.”
- While it’s unclear where the 2025/26 Spurs will rank in team history in terms of greatness, it’s increasingly clear they’re one of the franchise’s most close-knit teams ever, Orsborn writes in a separate piece. “Guys like being around each other,” De’Aaron Fox said. “Guys like hanging out.” The Spurs look to be well-rested heading into the series.
Victor Wembanyama Calls NBA’s Handling Of Concussion Protocol ‘Disappointing’
After a dominant performance in the Spurs‘ Game 4 victory at Portland on Sunday, Victor Wembanyama expressed disappointment about not being cleared from concussion protocol ahead of Game 3, writes Jared Weiss of The Athletic.
The French star received clearance from San Antonio’s medical staff and sought league approval ahead of Friday’s contest, according to Weiss. When he was turned down by the director of the NBA’s concussion program, Wembanyama asked for an examination by an independent neurologist. He participated in an interview regarding his symptoms and told the neurologist that he felt fine to play, a source tells Weiss, but the league refused to grant clearance.
Wembanyama addressed the situation after Sunday’s game, saying he never received a firm reason for why he wasn’t permitted to play in Game 3.
“I’m not saying that not playing was a good or bad decision,” he told reporters. “It was a decision. I’m not saying it was good or bad. But the way the situation was handled, very disappointing.”
Wembanyama refused to go into detail about why he’s unhappy with how the league handled the situation, saying he doesn’t want it to become a distraction and he’ll address it further after the playoffs end. He added that he was satisfied with how medical personnel from both the team and the league conducted the process.
“The doctors all around, they were great. Took great care of me,” Wembanyama said. “But the way the situation was handled was very disappointing.”
Weiss notes that Wembanyama has built a reputation during his three NBA seasons for being “abundantly confident” in the way he takes care of himself and often argues that he’s able to play when the Spurs’ medical staff determines otherwise. Wembanyama said that being in concussion protocol didn’t affect his preparation for Sunday’s game.
“I’ve been feeling great,” he added. “Even conditioning-wise, I did some cardio two days ago, so I’m fine.”
Wembanyama suffered the concussion when he took a hard fall in the second quarter of Tuesday’s Game 2 and struck his chin on the court. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game, and Portland picked up its only victory so far in the series.
Wembanyama didn’t seem to be affected by any lingering symptoms on Sunday as he posted 27 points, 12 rebounds, seven blocks and four steals in 34 minutes. The Spurs overcame a 19-point deficit late in the first half and wound up winning by 21 to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Weiss notes that Wembanyama was knocked to the court a few times on Sunday, but coach Mitch Johnson was never worried about his condition.
“I didn’t, to be honest. I’ve learned to trust that young man,” Johnson said. “I think the challenge now is for him to continue to play the way he did in the second half for the whole game. When he does that, we’ll be tough. But if he doesn’t do that, there’s a ripple effect for our team. That’s the responsibility that comes with being the face of the franchise and the best player.”
Victor Wembanyama Cleared To Return Sunday
Spurs center Victor Wembanyama has cleared the NBA’s concussion protocol and will return to action on Sunday for Game 4 of the first-round series vs. Portland, according to Shams Charania and Malika Andrews of ESPN (Twitter link).
The Spurs confirmed the news in their latest injury report, tweets Mark Medina.
Wembanyama has been in the protocol since Tuesday, when he suffered a concussion after hitting his head on the court during a hard fall in the second quarter of Game 2. Portland was able to even the series by winning that night, but San Antonio responded by pulling away late in Game 3 to retake home court advantage.
The French star lobbied to play in Game 3 after going through his normal workout routine ahead of Friday’s contest, league sources tell Jared Weiss of The Athletic, but he wasn’t cleared by the Spurs or the NBA until Sunday, says Charania (Twitter link).
Wembanyama became the youngest player in NBA history to be named Defensive Player of the Year on Tuesday. He was also the first unanimous winner in league history.
Wembanyama recorded 35 points, five rebounds and two blocks in 33 minutes in his playoff debut last Sunday. The 22-year-old big man had five points, four rebounds and a block in 12 minutes on Tuesday prior to the concussion.
With Wembanyama back in action, veteran center Luke Kornet will likely come off the bench for San Antonio after starting in Game 3.
Wembanyama Still In Concussion Protocol, Status Uncertain For Game 4
The Spurs survived Game 3 at Portland without Victor Wembanyama, and he may not be ready to return on Sunday, Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News writes in a subscriber-only piece. Meeting with reporters this afternoon, coach Mitch Johnson said Wembanyama remains in the league’s concussion protocol and his status is uncertain.
“We are still working through the process and continuing to work with the NBA,” Johnson said.
Wembanyama was a late scratch Friday night, as it wasn’t determined that he would be held out until about 90 minutes before tip-off. Orsborne notes that he went through most of his normal pregame routine, including running sprints on the court, before a final decision was made.
“I’ve seen Victor now for three years and when he’s not on the court, he’s always champing at the bit to get out on the court,” Johnson said. “I don’t think that will ever change. And I know he’s doing everything he can to continue to do what he’s in front of to get back on the court.”
Wembanyama has been in the protocol since Tuesday, when he suffered a concussion after hitting his head on the court during a hard fall in the second quarter of Game 2. Portland was able to even the series by winning that night, but San Antonio responded by pulling away late in Game 3 to retake home court advantage.
League rules require Wembanyama to reach several benchmarks while being symptom-free before he can be cleared to play.
Victor Wembanyama Out For Game 3
Spurs star big man Victor Wembanyama has been ruled out for Game 3 of the team’s series against the Trail Blazers on Friday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports (via Twitter).
Wembanyama went through shootaround in the hopes of returning from the concussion that he suffered when he took a hard fall in Game 2, but he has not yet cleared the NBA’s protocol and been given the green light to play.
“Obviously, there’s a lot that goes into that, but he’s doing well and progressing,” head coach Mitch Johnson said, per Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News (Twitter video link).
When pressed, Johnson declined to provide more details on his outlook, other than repeating that Wembanyama is making progress.
Backup center Luke Kornet got the start in place of Wembanyama.
Southwest Notes: Grizzlies, Wemby, Johnson, Rockets
LeBron James irked fans in Memphis earlier this month when he spoke during a YouTube show about how much he dislikes staying in the city and expressed a belief that the Grizzlies should relocate to Nashville. Addressing those comments – and Memphis’ reputation in general – during an appearance this week on the Pardon My Take podcast, NBA commissioner Adam Silver suggested James’ views aren’t commonly held throughout the league.
“First of all, players I talk to all the time like playing in Memphis,” Silver said, per Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. “I have never heard that issue of players not wanting to be in Memphis. That’s number one. Number two is the owner of the Memphis Grizzlies, a guy named Robert Pera, has no interest in moving the team out of Memphis. He has made that clear.”
While Silver insisted that moving the Grizzlies across the state isn’t on the table, he did refer to Nashville as a “city on the rise” and indicated he wouldn’t mind seeing the Grizzlies play some games there. There’s a recent – and nearby – precedent for that, as the divisional rival Spurs have been playing two regular season games in Austin annually since 2023.
“If it were up to me, I would like to see them play a few games a year in Nashville and sort of be Tennessee’s team to the extent that they can,” Silver said. “Memphis has been a great market historically for the NBA, and there is amazing history in that city and amazing culture.”
We have more from around the Southwest:
- While Victor Wembanyama (concussion) is officially listed as questionable for Friday’s game in Portland, his Spurs teammates are preparing for the worst-case scenario and approaching Game 3 as if they won’t have the star big man available, writes Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News (subscription required). For what it’s worth, in the 18 regular season games Wembanyama missed, San Antonio went 12-6, including 2-1 vs. Portland. “I think we just have to play how we have the whole way, just playing with a lot of force and physicality and pace,” center Luke Kornet said. “Obviously there will be little things to adjust, but I feel we’ve had a lot of experience playing that way.”
- Keldon Johnson is a consistently positive presence in the Spurs‘ locker room, but after being named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year on Wednesday, he admitted that it has been a difficult year for him, per Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News (subscription required). Johnson’s grandfather has been fighting cancer in Virginia and Johnson hasn’t been able to see as much of his parents, whom he describes as his best friends. “With what I had going on, on the days I didn’t have it, I was able to come here and my teammates picked me up,” Johnson said. “I saw our medical team smiling, our video room guys (smiling), it’s like one big family. Day in and day out, you see Keldon Johnson with all the energy, but the people who are here with me, they make this possible for me.”
- If the Rockets can’t rally from their 2-0 deficit and win their first-round series against a Lakers team missing its MVP, the organization will have some hard questions to answer this summer about what changes are necessary to take the next step forward, writes Varun Shankar of The Houston Chronicle (subscription required). Alperen Sengun must play a key role in any comeback effort, according to William Guillory of The Athletic, who says Houston’s center is about to play the two most important games of his career on Friday and Sunday.
Victor Wembanyama To Travel With Spurs To Portland
Less than 48 hours after being diagnosed with a concussion as the result of a hard fall in Game 2 vs. Portland, Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama appears to be trending in the right direction.
Appearing on Inside The NBA late on Wednesday night (Twitter video link), Shams Charania of ESPN said that Wembanyama’s symptoms hadn’t worsened and that he was able to do some cardio work yesterday. The third-year star was back at the Spurs’ facility on Thursday, and while he isn’t permitted to fully ramp up his activity quite yet, head coach Mitch Johnson said he “looks good.”
“The update is that he is following the league’s protocol and he’s progressing and he’ll travel with the team,” Johnson said (Twitter video link via Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News).
Although Wembanyama is able to travel with the Spurs to Portland, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be able to suit up for Game 3 on Friday or Game 4 on Sunday. Johnson didn’t rule out that possibility, but cautioned it will depend on Wembanyama’s ability to meet certain benchmarks in the return-to-play process and showing that he’s symptom-free.
As the Spurs’ coach noted, there are strict guidelines defined by the NBA for players coming off concussions, so it won’t just be a matter of the team’s medical staff making a decision on the Defensive Player of the Year’s availability. An independent neurologist designated by the league must also sign off on Wembanyama’s return.
“Obviously, we hope he’ll be back at some point, but we’ll allow the protocol to play out, and there’s nothing more important than his health,” Johnson said.
While Wembanyama’s status remains up in the air, Johnson did share some good news on guard Dylan Harper (thumb) and forward Harrison Barnes (shoulder) on Thursday, telling Orsborn and other reporters that both players will be “available and good to go” for Game 3 on Friday (Twitter link).