The San Antonio Spurs, largely because Victor Wembanyama’s second quarter ejection, missed out on the chance in Game 4 to take a commanding lead in the Western Conference semifinals.
Now, they can breathe a sigh of relief.
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According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Wembanyama has avoided suspension over the right elbow he threw at Minnesota Timberwolves forward Naz Reid on Sunday, May 10 in Game 4, an eventual 114-109 Minnesota victory.
This comes as a massive relief for San Antonio, which is now in a 2-2 tie in the series. Wembanyama is the team’s best player and arguably the player in the entire NBA who most impacts games on both ends of the floor.
Once he left the game, the Timberwolves attacked the paint more freely because of the void Wembanyama left down low.
Wembanyama committed the foul with 8:39 to play in the second quarter.
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During the play, Wembanyama was battling with Reid and Jaden McDaniels after Wembanyama hauled in a rebound. Reid and McDaniels both tried to grasp for the ball, trying to pry it from Wembanyama’s hands. Wembanyama then cocked his right elbow and flung it toward Reid, striking him around the neck.
Reid instantly fell to the court as McDaniels continued trying to wrap up the ball. Officials blew the whistle and separated both sides. They eventually reviewed the play, determining that the contact was “unnecessary and excessive,” and elevated the call to flagrant foul penalty two, which results in an automatic ejection.
Wembanyama appeared to be surprised on the bench, seemingly unaware of the rule around a flagrant foul two. It marked the first ejection of Wembanyama’s career and, as he exited the court, he hyped up his teammates and clapped and gestured to the crowd.
After playing just 12:29 in the game, Wembanyama left with four points on 2-of-5 shooting, adding four rebounds and one assist.
Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12 at 8 p.m. ET.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Victor Wembanyama avoids suspension for throwing elbow vs Timberwolves
