Wembanyama Ejected After Flagrant 2 Foul on Reid Upgraded in Game 4
Victor Wembanyama was ejected for the first time in his NBA career after delivering an elbow to Naz Reid’s neck during Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals. The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the San Antonio Spurs 114-109 to tie the series 2-2. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said there was zero intent behind the foul and called further punishment ridiculous.
nypost.comVictor Wembanyama delivered an elbow to Naz Reid’s neck during a rebound battle midway through the second quarter of Game 4 and was issued a Flagrant 2 foul after video review, resulting in his automatic ejection. It was the first time the 7ft 4in Frenchman had been ejected in his NBA career.
Post by @TheAthletic on X
The incident occurred at Target Center in Minnesota after Wembanyama rebounded a missed three-pointer by the Spurs and Reid along with Jaden McDaniels swarmed him outside the paint.
The foul was initially called an offensive foul before officials upgraded it to Flagrant 2 for excessive contact above the neck. Fans at Target Center chanted “Kick him out!
Naz Reid sank both free throws after the foul, giving the Timberwolves a 38-34 lead. ” Barnes informed him that he had been ejected. ” The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the San Antonio Spurs 114-109.
Anthony Edwards scored 36 points for Minnesota. Naz Reid finished with 15 points and 9 rebounds. Wembanyama played just 12 minutes and scored 4 points on 2-for-5 shooting. He had 4 rebounds and committed 3 fouls in the game.
The Timberwolves vs Spurs playoff series is now tied 2-2. ” Johnson stated it would be ridiculous to punish Wembanyama further. Johnson expressed frustration at the physicality Wembanyama faces. “I just think that the amount of physicality that people play with him, at some level you have to protect yourself,” he told reporters.
Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday in San Antonio. Wembanyama’s status for Game 5 will be determined by the NBA on Monday. The league could decide to fine or suspend him, though Johnson said he should be allowed to play.
Transparency
Rewrite inherits consensus framing around Wembanyama as victim of excessive physicality while centering process details and official reactions over the core foul itself.
Lede misdirection: lede and title foreground ejection and review process over the neck elbow itself
The same facts could be read as evidence that referees are failing to protect a young superstar from repeated physical punishment by opponents, forcing him into a split-second reaction during a chaotic rebound.
3 independent outlets report the same core facts. This score blends how many outlets corroborate, their editorial tier, and how closely their facts agree — it measures corroboration, not proof.
Sources framed at 65 → our rewrite 55. We stripped 10 points of framing the sources carried in.
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