Victor Wembanyama will not face any additional suspension from the NBA and is available to play in Game 5 of the playoffs on Tuesday night, a league source confirmed to AFP on Monday.
The San Antonio Spurs star was ejected early in the second quarter of Monday’s 114-109 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves after elbowing Naz Reid in the face. The play, ruled a Flagrant 2 foul, automatically triggered a league review, but no further punishment was handed down, according to ESPN.
Wembanyama had only four points at the time of the ejection, which came with 8:39 left in the second quarter and the Timberwolves leading 36-34. On an offensive rebound, he was trapped by two defenders and grabbed by one. He swung his right elbow forcefully to break free, striking Reid in the head.
After reviewing the footage, referees deemed the movement “unnecessary” and “excessive,” resulting in the first ejection of Wembanyama’s three-year NBA career. The French rookie sensation had been brilliant in Game 3, scoring 39 points to help the Spurs take a 2-1 series lead.
Now, with the series tied 2-2, Wembanyama is eager to lead San Antonio back home for Tuesday’s pivotal Game 5. The Spurs are aiming for their first Western Conference finals appearance since 2017.
