San Antonio center Victor Wembanyama was tossed for the first time in his NBA career Sunday night, as the Spurs fell 114-109 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals. The loss evened the series at 2-2 heading into Game 5.
Wembanyama was ejected early in the second quarter after officials reviewed an elbow delivered to Naz Reid during a rebound battle. The Spurs star had been surrounded by Reid and Jaden McDaniels when he swung his right elbow, striking Reid in the jaw and neck area and sending him to the floor. Referees initially called an offensive foul before upgrading it to a Flagrant 2 after video review, resulting in an automatic ejection. Before exiting, Wembanyama recorded four points and four rebounds in 12 minutes while shooting 2-for-5 from the field.
With San Antonio missing its top player, Anthony Edwards took over late for Minnesota. Edwards poured in 36 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, helping the Timberwolves erase the deficit and close out the win at the Target Center. “We’ve got to capitalize when Wemby got [thrown] of the game,” Edwards said. “We came out thinking like, it was going to be easy, but those guys are really good even without Wemby. We just had to play hard, and I just had to take it upon myself to try to get us the win.”
Edwards sparked the late surge with key baskets and a clutch three-pointer midway through the final period. Reid added 15 points and nine rebounds off the bench, while Rudy Gobert contributed 11 points and 13 rebounds. De’Aaron Fox led San Antonio with 24 points despite struggling from deep, while Dylan Harper added 24 points and six rebounds off the bench. Stephon Castle chipped in 20 points.
The Spurs will have Wembanyama back for Game 5 on Tuesday night, as the series shifts to Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.
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