Victor Wembanyama ejected in Game 4 as Spurs lose rhythm against Timberwolves
Officials assessed a Flagrant 2 foul on Wembanyama for elbowing Naz Reid early in the second quarter, leaving the Spurs without their leading scorer as the Timberwolves seek to tie the series.
The San Antonio Spurs lost their primary offensive engine early in the second quarter of Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves after Victor Wembanyama was ejected from the contest. The incident, which occurred at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Sunday, 11 May 2026, resulted in the first ejection of Wembanyama's career following a Flagrant 2 foul assessment.
The sequence began when Wembanyama reached over Naz Reid to contest a rebound. As Reid aggressively boxed out the Spurs centre, Wembanyama became entangled with Mike Conley and Jaden McDaniels before throwing an elbow that connected squarely with Reid's chin. Review by the referees confirmed the severity of the contact, leading to the immediate removal of the star player from the floor.
Despite the aggressive nature of the foul, Naz Reid did not appear injured immediately following the incident. The ejection stands as a significant administrative blow to the Spurs, who trail the series 2–1 and now face the prospect of playing the remainder of the game without their leading scorer. This development offers the Timberwolves a strategic opportunity to tie the match before the Spurs can respond.
Wembanyama's absence highlights the volatility of the Western Conference semifinals, where the Spurs have recorded a 6–2 record in the playoffs. Their only loss so far occurred in the first round when Wembanyama exited Game 2 of that series with a concussion, a situation that mirrors the current concern regarding his availability. The French superstar has been instrumental in San Antonio's campaign, averaging 21.9 points, 11.4 rebounds, and five blocks per game in the postseason.
His impact was most evident in Game 3, where he scored 39 points on 13-of-18 shooting to secure a victory for the Spurs. However, the disciplinary action in Game 4 underscores the high stakes of the series and the risks associated with physical play at this level. The Spurs' management now faces the challenge of adjusting their game plan without their most prolific offensive threat for the duration of the match.
The outcome of this contest will likely influence the momentum of the series, with the Timberwolves holding the advantage of playing without Wembanyama's scoring and rebounding contributions. As the game progresses, the focus shifts to how the Spurs can navigate the deficit in personnel while the Timberwolves capitalise on the temporary disruption to their opponents' rhythm.
