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San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama avoided adding a glaring third point to his playoff total. According to NBA policy, players are automatically suspended once they receive four flagrant fouls.
Wembanyama made contact with Jalen Brunson’s upper body as the New York Knicks guard attempted to create a screen during the first quarter of Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday. When the Spurs center turned during the play, he pushed Brunson, who fell backward to the ground.
The referees did not call a foul on the play, despite strong objections from the Knicks bench. ESPN reported Tuesday, citing sources, that Wembanyama would not be retroactively awarded a “gross improvement for the unclaimed foul.”
The play sparked debate in the sports world, and President Donald Trump, who attended Monday’s game, was among those who spoke.
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President Donald Trump watches the start of Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 8, 2026. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
“I thought it was a very bad decision. Absolutely. I thought it was a very bad decision, personally. But I’m not the referee, you know?” Trump told the New York Post on Wednesday.
Trump watched the Knicks’ first NBA Finals game in 27 years from a suite with his granddaughter Kai Trump and was seen sitting next to team owner James Dolan. Trump became the first sitting US president to attend an NBA Finals game.
VICTOR WEMBANYAMA PLACES HAND ON JALEN BRUNSON’S HEAD, PUSHES HIM WHILE REFS LOOK THE OTHER WAY IN GAME 3
The Spurs outlasted New York 115-111 in Game 3, cutting the Knicks’ lead to 2-1 heading into Game 4 on Wednesday.
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks works against Dylan Harper and Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter of Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 8, 2026. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
“Look, they’re tied, right? They’re two great teams. I’ll tell you Brunson is a player,” Trump added. “I think Brunson is amazing, [Stephon] Castle [of the Spurs] is amazing, Wemby is amazing, [Karl-Anthony] Cities [of the Knicks] is incredible. They’re like great players. That’s what they’re here for, isn’t it?”
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson reacts as San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama looks on during the second quarter of Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 8, 2026. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)
A native of New York, Trump regularly sat alongside other celebrities over the years before entering politics. “If you grow up in New York, you’re a Knicks fan,” he noted.
Taylor Swift, who is engaged to NFL star Travis Kelce, was the headliner of Wednesday’s celebrity row at Madison Square Garden.
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The Spurs came out hot for the second straight game Wednesday, taking a 41-22 lead late in the first quarter. Wembanyama led San Antonio with 13 points in the first half, while OG Anunoby led New York with seven.
