05/11/26 12:05:00
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05/11 12:03 CDT Spurs' Victor Wembanyama won't face further sanction for
throwing an elbow, AP source says
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama won't face further sanction for throwing an elbow, AP
source says
By TIM REYNOLDS
AP Basketball Writer
San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama will not face further discipline from
the NBA for elbowing Minnesota's Naz Reid in Game 4 of the teams' Western
Conference semifinal series, a person with knowledge of the league's decision
said Monday.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the
league did not publicly release any details of its evaluation and investigative
process.
Wembanyama will be eligible to play Game 5 on Tuesday in San Antonio. The
series is tied at two games apiece.
Wembanyama was ejected from the Spurs-Timberwolves game on Sunday night because
of the elbow, which he threw early in the second quarter after getting tangled
with Reid and Minnesota's Jaden McDaniels while grabbing a rebound. Wembanyama
swung his arms and his elbow struck Reid in the face.
Officials looked at the play and upgraded the foul to a Flagrant 2, which comes
with automatic ejection. Wembanyama was seen on the bench after the decision
was announced, appearing to ask teammates what a Flagrant 2 means.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said after the game that Wembanyama "gets hit on
every play."
"At some level, you have to protect yourself," Johnson said. "Every single play
on every single part of the floor, people are trying to impose their
physicality on him. I get it. We get it. That's part of the game. ... At some
stage, he should be protected and if not, he's going to have to protect
himself. And unfortunately, stuff like that happens."
It was the first ejection of Wembanyama's career and, according to Sportradar,
it was only the third flagrant foul for the French center --- this season's
unanimous pick as Defensive Player of the Year and an MVP finalist.
The NBA reviews all plays and typically exercises the right to upgrade,
downgrade or rescind flagrant fouls and technical fouls after the fact. In this
case, the person with knowledge said, Sunday's play will stand as called.
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