MINNEAPOLIS — In a sudden twist in a competitive playoff series, San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was ejected for a flagrant 2 foul in the second quarter of Sunday’s Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

With just under nine minutes remaining in the first half, the Timberwolves’ physicality finally got to the Spurs star. Wembanyama grabbed a rebound over Naz Reid, and appeared to get hit as he gathered the ball while swarmed by Reid and Timberwolves wing Jaden McDaniels. Wembanyama then looked over his shoulder and swung his elbow into Reid’s throat, sending the Wolves big man to the ground.

After a review of several minutes — during which Timberwolves fans chanted, “Throw him out!” — officials deemed the play to be excessive and above the shoulders, qualifying for a flagrant 2 penalty and an automatic ejection. It is the first ejection of Wembanyama’s career.

Victor Wembanyama was given a flagrant 2 for this elbow on Naz Reid. pic.twitter.com/nYszYUspwJ

— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) May 11, 2026

When the decision was made, NBC’s cameras caught Wembanyama appearing to turn to teammate Harrison Barnes to ask what a flagrant 2 foul meant. Barnes whispered an answer in Wembanyama’s ear, to which the Spurs star appeared to respond, “I’m ejected,” while pointing to his chest.

After he was disqualified from the game, Wembanyama went to his teammates, high-fiving every player and staff member he could find on the bench and clapping to encourage them. His ejection came with the Wolves holding a slim lead and backup center Luke Kornet struggling in his minutes for most of the series.

The incident was an uncharacteristic move from Wembanyama, who is known for controlling his emotions on and off the floor. He typically plays with a quiet intensity, with bursts of emotion emerging in big moments. He has rarely been part of any sort of physical altercation, much less instigated one, as he did in this instance.

But the Timberwolves have one of the NBA’s most physical defenses, and Wembanyama has been complaining to officials about their aggressive play throughout the series. It appears this moment finally put him over the edge.

The Spurs entered Sunday’s game with a 2-1 lead in the series.