Victor Wembanyama was ejected from Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals after throwing an elbow at Minnesota Timberwolves forward Naz Reid‘s jaw.

It was the first ejection of his NBA career. It arrived at the worst possible moment with a tied series, a road game, and 8:39 still left in the second quarter.

Referee Zach Zarba initially called an offensive foul on the play, then upgraded it to a Flagrant 2 after video review confirmed the elbow made excessive contact above Reid’s neck, sending him spinning to the floor.

Flagrant 2 dictates automatic ejection. Reid converted both free throws to give Minnesota a 38-34 lead, and Wembanyama – the NBA Defensive Player of the Year – was done for the night after 13 minutes, four points, four rebounds, and three fouls. According to ESPN Research, it is the earliest an All-Star has been ejected from a playoff game since 1997-98.

A Tense Series Just Got Tenser

The San Antonio Spurs had opened the series with a 2-0 lead in Minneapolis. Wembanyama posted 32 points and 14 rebounds in Game 1, then a playoff-career-high 38 points in Game 2. Minnesota clawed back in Game 3, and the physical defense on Wembanyama escalated noticeably.

Without him, the Spurs couldn’t hold on. De’Aaron Fox finished with 28 points, and San Antonio mounted a late push, but Anthony Edwards‘ game-sealing three-pointer closed the door. Final score: Timberwolves 114, Spurs 109. The series is now tied 2-2, and teams have gone 1-8 when an All-Star is ejected from a playoff game before the fourth quarter.

Mitch Johnson Doesn’t Mince Words

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson did not condone the elbow, but he made clear he understood exactly why it happened. Speaking after the loss, Johnson said: “Just the amount of physicality that people play with him, at some level, you have to protect yourself. Every single play on every single part of the floor, people are trying to impose their physicality on you. He’s gotten pushed down in transition, running freely. We don’t complain because we’re just going to play. We don’t really give a s—. But at some stage, he should be protected. If not, he’s going to have to protect himself, and unfortunately, stuff like that happens.”

Game 5 Outlook

According to sources, Wembanyama avoided suspension and will play in Game 5 on Tuesday at San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center. The league office will review the Flagrant 2 for possible supplemental discipline, with a minimum fine of $2,000 already in play.

The Spurs will have home-court advantage and a healthy Wembanyama. How both teams and the officiating crew manage the escalated tension on Tuesday will be a key factor in the game’s outcome.

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