This game would have unfolded very differently if Victor Wembanyama had been on the court for the majority of it.
The San Antonio Spurs missed a golden opportunity to seize a commanding 3–1 series lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals on Sunday, May 10, after Wembanyama’s ejection in the second quarter derailed their momentum.
At just 22 years old, Wembanyama is a gifted, young player who has been open about his limited experience in playoff basketball. This incident should be viewed as another harsh lesson he must learn.
Not only did Wembanyama sit out two and a half quarters of a game that ultimately ended in a five-point loss, he could also face additional discipline from the NBA league office, possibly including a suspension.
Wembanyama became the youngest player in NBA history to win the Defensive Player of the Year award on Monday, April 20, earning the first unanimous vote in league history.