The NBA world has been left stunned after Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama was ejected after lashing out with his elbow during Game 4 of San Antonio’s finals series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Wembanyama was ejected for the first time in his NBA career after a flagrant foul on Naz Reid sparked wild scenes on Monday (AEDT).
The incident occurred early in the second quarter with Minnesota up by just two points.
Wembanyama, who was being closely marked, grew frustrated after not receiving a foul call on the previous play.
In anger, the 22-year-old swung his elbow, catching Reid flush on the jaw.
While initial replays hinted he had merely just tried to free himself from Reid’s grip, courtside cameras caught the 7-foot-4 centre looking directly at Reid before firing a vicious elbow straight into his jaw.
Reid crumbled to the ground, but after receiving treatment was okay to continue.
You can watch the incident in the player at the top of the page.
Officials reviewed the play and determined the contact met all three criteria for a flagrant foul penalty two: wind-up, impact and follow-through.
“After review, there is wind-up, impact and follow-through above the neck of the opponent. It is unnecessary and excessive contact by Wembanyama. It meets all the criteria, it has been upgraded to a flagrant foul, penalty two. Wembanyama has been ejected,” the referee announced.
The ejection of the reigning Defensive Player of the Year leaves a massive void for San Antonio, with Wembanyama averaging 23 points, 15 rebounds and 6.3 blocks per game in the series.
The NBA will also now review the footage and determine if any additional punishment is required, with the potential for Wembanyama to miss more games for his malicious act.
Given that he is the star of the Spurs, his actions could turn the series, which they led 2-1 at the time of the ugly act, and fans were left stunned by what they had just seen.
“That’s the right call. That was a vicious play from Wemby. And now he’s out. Wow,” The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski wrote on X.
“What have you done Wemby. Profoundly stupid,” another commented.
“That’s a dirty elbow. Flagrant 2 and ejection feels right. Wemby needs to clean that up,” a third wrote.
“The series has just been flipped on its head,” a fourth added.
In the end his ejection would prove costly, with the Timberwolves taking Game 4, 114 to 109.
Game 5 of the best of seven series will return to San Antonio on Wednesday AEDT and it remains to be seen if they will have their star player available.
