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San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson spoke about Victor Wembanyama’s ejection during the team’s Game 4 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night.
Wembanyama was ejected after swinging his elbow and hitting Timberwolves center Naz Reid in the face in the second quarter. It was the first expulsion of his career.
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San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama reacts after being ejected for a flagrant foul during the first half of Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis on May 10, 2026. (Abbie Parr/AP)
Johnson said he was “happy” that Wembanyama “took charge,” but added that he was concerned about the level of physicality Wembanyama gets during matches.
“Just the amount of physicality that people play with him, on a certain level you have to protect yourself,” he continued via ESPN. “Every play, on every part of the court, people are trying to impose their physicality on you. He was pushed down in transition, running free. We’re not complaining because we’re just going to play. We don’t really care. But at some point, he should be guarded. Otherwise, he’ll have to guard himself, and unfortunately, things like that happen.
“It starts to get disgusting when he tries to fight and be professional and mature and deal with some of these things. I’m glad he took matters into his own hands. Not in terms of hitting Naz Reid, but he’s going to have to protect himself if they don’t. And I think that’s disgusting.”
Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid reacts after an injury during the second half of Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs in Minneapolis on May 10, 2026. (Abbie Parr/AP)
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The incident occurred as Wembanyama was mobbed by Reid and Jaden McDaniels after grabbing an offensive rebound. Both T’Wolves players attempted to free the ball.
McDaniels pulled on Wembanyama’s left arm. The 7-foot-4 phenom then swung his right arm back and struck Reid in the neck.
Wembanyama was given a Flagrant 2 foul, triggering an automatic ejection.
Johnson dismissed any notion that Wembanyama would be suspended for Game 5.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama walks across the court after committing a flagrant foul that led to his ejection during the first half of Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis on May 10, 2026. (Abbie Parr/AP)
“There was no intention,” he said. “I think that would be ridiculous.”
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Minnesota’s victory evened the series at 2-2.
