Victor Wembanyama was ejected from the fourth game between Minnesota and San Antonio. Early in the second quarter, he received a Flagrant Foul 2 for striking Naz Reid in the neck with his elbow, leading to an immediate ejection. The incident shifted the momentum of the contest and could have significant implications for the entire series. The situation unfolded after the Spurs missed a three-pointer; under pressure from Reid and Jaden McDaniels, Wembanyama grabbed the rebound, cleared space with his elbow, and the referees immediately called an offensive foul. Following a video review, the penalty was upgraded because the contact occurred above the shoulders, meeting the criteria for a Flagrant Foul 2.
Spectators instantly called for an ejection as they watched the replay. Wembanyama initially did not understand the referees’ decision and asked his teammates for clarification. In 13 minutes, he recorded four points, four rebounds, and three fouls. After his departure, San Antonio did not face major difficulties. The team quickly adjusted their strategy, focusing more on perimeter attacks. De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper took control, consistently hitting mid-range shots, while Stephon Castle aggressively attacked the basket. In the third quarter, the Spurs controlled the tempo and prevented Minnesota from capitalizing on their advantage in the paint.
Minnesota’s primary struggles came from turnovers. In the third quarter alone, they gave the ball away six times and often neglected defensive assignments during fast breaks. San Antonio even took an eight-point lead after Fox’s long-range shot early in the final period. The tide turned only late in the game: Anthony Edwards scored 16 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter, helping the hosts regain control. His three-pointer gave Minnesota its first lead since midway through the third quarter, making the score 98-97.
After Wembanyama’s ejection, the hosts gained confidence under the opponent’s basket. Rudy Gobert converted a three-point play off a pass from Reid and later finished a dunk assisted by Julius Randle. Reid also had an excellent game, scoring 15 points with nine rebounds, and his clutch jumper with 40 seconds remaining essentially sealed the win. Minnesota won 114-109, tying the series at 2-2. Much now depends on the league’s decision. The NBA is expected to review Wembanyama’s elbow incident closely, potentially suspending him for the next game. A ruling should be announced soon.