{"id":635970,"date":"2026-05-11T05:03:18","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T05:03:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/635970\/"},"modified":"2026-05-11T05:03:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T05:03:18","slug":"its-unfair-but-victor-wembanyama-has-to-be-bigger-person","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/635970\/","title":{"rendered":"It\u2019s unfair, but Victor Wembanyama has to be bigger person"},"content":{"rendered":"

This would\u2019ve been a very different game had Victor Wembanyama<\/a> been on the floor for most of it.<\/p>\n

The San Antonio Spurs<\/a> wasted a chance to take a commanding 3-1 series lead on Sunday, May 10<\/a> over the Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a> in the Western Conference semifinals when Wembanyama\u2019s second quarter ejection<\/a> sabotaged their efforts.<\/p>\n

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Wembanyama, 22, is a bright, young player, one who has been transparent about his relative inexperience in playoff basketball. Treat this as another lesson, rather unfairly, that he\u2019ll have to learn.<\/p>\n

Because not only did Wembanyama miss two and a half quarters of an eventual five-point loss, he might face further discipline from the NBA league office, including a possible suspension<\/a>.<\/p>\n

1 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward forward Victor Wembanyama<\/a> pumps his fist at the end of the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Frost Bank Center on Mar. 5, 2026. Victor Wembanyama<\/a>\u00a0became the\u00a0youngest player in NBA history<\/a>\u00a0to win the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award Monday, April 20 in the first unanimous vote in league history.<\/p>\n

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1 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward forward Victor Wembanyama<\/a> pumps his fist at the end of the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Frost Bank Center on Mar. 5, 2026. Victor Wembanyama<\/a>\u00a0became the\u00a0youngest player in NBA history<\/a>\u00a0to win the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award Monday, April 20 in the first unanimous vote in league history.<\/p>\n

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2 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama passes the ball away from Denver Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson (23) in the second half at Ball Arena in Denver on April 4, 2026.<\/p>\n

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3 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama blocks the shot of Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic in the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on April 4, 2026.<\/p>\n

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4 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives to the basket between Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) and center Donovan Clingan (23) during the first half of game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on Apr 19, 2026.<\/p>\n

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5 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts after dunking ahead of Philadelphia 76ers forwards Justin Edwards (11) and Dominick Barlow (25) during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Frost Bank Center on Apr 6, 2026.<\/p>\n

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6 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) runs on the court against the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter at the Chase Center on Apr 1, 2026.<\/p>\n

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7 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) is introduced before the game against then Chicago Bulls at Frost Bank Center on Mar 30, 2026.<\/p>\n

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8 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

LA Clippers guard Jordan Miller (22) shoots the ball against San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) in the first half at Intuit Dome on Mar. 16, 2026.<\/p>\n

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9 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks a shot against Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) in the first half at Frost Bank Center on Mar. 10, 2026.<\/p>\n

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10 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) in introduced before the game against the Houston Rockets at Frost Bank Center on Mar. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n

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11 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts with teammates forwards Carter Bryant (11) and Julian Champagnie (30) and guard Devin Vassell (24) after securing a comeback victory over the Los Angeles Clippers at Frost Bank Center on Mar. 6, 2026.<\/p>\n

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12 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward forward Victor Wembanyama (1) beats a drum and leads fans on a cheer after a victory over the Detroit Pistons at Frost Bank Center on Mar. 5, 2026.<\/p>\n

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13 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward forward Victor Wembanyama (1) dunks over Detroit Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart (28) and at Frost Bank Center on Mar. 5, 2026.<\/p>\n

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14 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) rebounds the ball in front of Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes (5) during the third quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Mar. 3, 2026.<\/p>\n

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15 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) looks to pass the ball from the floor during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Moody Center on Feb. 19, 2026.<\/p>\n

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16 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) and San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) battle for a loose ball during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center on Jan. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n

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17 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) defends Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) in the second half at State Farm Arena on Dec. 19, 2025<\/p>\n

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18 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama during practice prior to the Emirates NBA Cup championship at the T-Mobile Arena on Dec. 15, 2025<\/p>\n

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19 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) celebrates with San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on Oct. 22, 2025.<\/p>\n

With Game 5 set for Tuesday, May 12<\/a>, the NBA is expected to review the incident and make any determination on discipline by Monday evening. And if Wembanyama does indeed face a suspension in Game 5, the series might very well slip away from the Spurs.<\/p>\n

No team is better than the Timberwolves at annoying opposing players, getting under their skin to force them to respond in ways that are uncharacteristic. Jaden McDaniels<\/a>, an all-world defender and sometimes-troll, is the perfect example.<\/p>\n

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McDaniels, one series after he called out the entire Denver Nuggets<\/a> by name for being \u201call bad defenders,\u201d joined teammate Naz Reid<\/a> in the second quarter on Sunday night, pestering Wembanyama to the point of frustration that prompted the Spurs phenom to throw a reckless elbow at Reid\u2019s throat.<\/p>\n

It was a dangerous play, and Reid and Wembanyama are both fortunate that the elbow appeared to catch Reid\u2019s collarbone before striking his throat.<\/p>\n

And, to be completely fair to Wembanyama, McDaniels and Reid were aggressively harassing Wembanyama, and he should have the right to protect himself. This, unfortunately for Wembanyama, is nothing new.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt some level, it\u2019s starting to get actually disgusting, just in terms of when he tries to fight through things and be professional and mature and deal with some of that stuff,\u201d Spurs coach Mitch Johnson told reporters after the game. \u201cI\u2019m glad he took matters into his own hands \u2014 not at all in terms of hitting Naz Reid, I want to be very clear about that. I\u2019m glad Naz Reid was okay, I didn\u2019t want him to elbow him. But he\u2019s going to have to protect himself if (the officials) are not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Victor<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama commits a Flagrant 2 foul on Naz Reid during Game 4 at Target Center.<\/p>\n

Johnson is absolutely justified, but Wembanyama will nonetheless have to learn that he and the Spurs stand to lose more in cases like these. He\u2019s one of the top three best players in the world, and teams are going to hunt and target him \u2014 whether that\u2019s in an attempt to put him in foul trouble, or, like Sunday night, to get in his head. This is only magnified in the playoffs, when a suspension can swing an entire series.<\/p>\n

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Wembanyama is too good. No player impacts the game on both ends the way he does. His defensive presence alters the way opposing teams attack San Antonio<\/a>, and his shooting range and offensive portfolio are singular for someone with his frame.<\/p>\n

After playing just 12:29 on Sunday night, Wembanyama left with 4 points on 2-of-5 shooting, adding 4 rebounds and 1 assist. And the Timberwolves, both in the minutes following the ejection and in the fourth quarter, spammed attacks in the paint, knowing Wembanyama would not be there to protect the rim. Simply put: Wembanyama\u2019s ejection made the prospect of a Spurs victory far more challenging.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverybody know the rim\u2019s going to be a lot more open when he\u2019s not on the floor,\u201d Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards<\/a> told reporters after the game. \u201cYeah, he\u2019s 8 feet tall, so he\u2019s gonna cover up the rim anytime he on the floor.\u201d<\/p>\n

When reviewing possible suspensions, the league looks at several factors, including a player\u2019s history. Since this was Wembanyama\u2019s first Flagrant 2 and first ejection, the NBA might opt to let the time missed in Game 4 stand. The league can also fine Wembanyama.<\/p>\n

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Johnson, who obviously has an agenda to push in this case, said it \u201cwould be ridiculous\u201d if Wembanyama was suspended.<\/p>\n

Either way, the Spurs should prepare for the possibility. And beyond that, they should continue to expect teams to provoke Wembanyama like this, simply because San Antonio is easier to beat when he\u2019s not on the floor.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Victor Wembanyama can expect further provocation in NBA playoffs<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This would\u2019ve been a very different game had Victor Wembanyama been on the floor for most of it.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":635971,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[64],"tags":[31513,1753,114221,11951,78366,355,6999,2116,99,32090],"class_list":["post-635970","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nba","tag-anthony-edwards","tag-denver-nuggets","tag-jaden-mcdaniels","tag-minnesota-timberwolves","tag-naz-reid","tag-nba","tag-san-antonio","tag-san-antonio-spurs","tag-sports","tag-victor-wembanyama"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/635970","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=635970"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/635970\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/635971"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=635970"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=635970"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=635970"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}