Victor Wembanyama will not receive any additional disciplinary action after being ejected from Game 4 between the San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves for elbowing Naz Reid in the neck, a league source confirmed to The Athletic. The incident occurred in the second quarter of the Spurs’ 114-109 loss on Sunday, when officials reviewed the play and assessed a Flagrant 2 foul. Wembanyama will be eligible to play in Game 5 on Tuesday and will not face an extra fine.
“I don’t know the legality or the rules, but there was zero intent,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said following the game when asked about a potential suspension. “They did what they did because of the outcome of the play — so be it. But to have anything on top of that would be ridiculous.”
Wembanyama, this season’s NBA Defensive Player of the Year, had delivered one of the best performances of his career in Game 3 before the ejection. After grabbing a rebound over Reid, Wembanyama found himself trapped by Reid and Jaden McDaniels, who held onto his off arm. The Spurs center then looked to his right, seemingly noticing Reid, and swung a high elbow that struck Reid squarely in the neck, sending the Timberwolves big man crashing to the floor.
Despite losing Wembanyama, the Spurs held the lead for much of the second half before the Timberwolves rallied in the fourth quarter behind Anthony Edwards’ 36 points.
“I’m glad (Wembanyama) took matters into his own hands,” Johnson added. “Not in terms of hitting Naz Reid, by all means — I’m being very clear about that. I’m glad Naz Reid is OK, and I didn’t want him to elbow him. But he’s going to have to protect himself if they’re not. And I think it’s disgusting.”
ESPN first reported that Wembanyama would not face further discipline.