San Antonio Spurs coach Mitch Johnson claimed the treatment Victor Wembanyama receives is “disgusting” and said he was “glad he took matters into his own hands” after the French superstar suffered his first career ejection on Sunday night.
Wembanyama was tossed after being called for a flagrant 2 for excessive contact above the neck. The incident occurred early in the second quarter when he tussled with a couple of Minnesota Timberwolves players as they jostled to collect a rebound.
NBA Defensive Player of the Year Wembanyama lost his cool and threw an elbow into the neck of Naz Reid, bringing an early end to his evening.
The Timberwolves took full advantage by winning Game Four 114-109 to level the series at 2-2.
Wembanyama has to protect himself – Spurs coach Johnson
Johnson indicated it was only a matter of time before this kind of issue arose such was the physicality Wembanyama was subjected to on a regular basis.
“Just the amount of physicality that people play with him, at some level, you have to protect yourself,” Johnson said. “Every single play on every single part of the floor, people are trying to impose their physicality on you. He’s gotten pushed down in transition, running freely. We don’t complain because we’re just going to play. We don’t really give a s—. But at some stage, he should be protected. If not, he’s going to have to protect himself, and unfortunately, stuff like that happens.
“It’s starting to get disgusting in terms of when he tries to fight through things, be professional and mature and deal with some of that stuff. I’m glad he took matters into his own hands. Not in terms of hitting Naz Reid, but he’s going to have to protect himself if they’re not. And I think it’s disgusting.”
The Spurs fought hard without their main man, Dylan Harper scoring 24 points and Stephon Castle adding 20.
Spurs play slower with Wembanyama, says Edwards
Minnesota were led by Anthony Edwards, who poured in 36 points, and he claimed the game was made more difficult by Wembanyama’s ejection.
“Honestly, I think it was kind of harder [without Wembanyama],” Edwards said. “Of course, they are a really great team with him on the floor, but they play a lot slower when he’s on the floor. It’s just like when every team is missing their best player and everyone [else] plays free, more confident.”
Edwards admitted, though, that Wembanyama’s absence did create more offensive options for the Timberwolves, adding: “Everybody knows the rim is going to be a lot more open when he’s not on the floor. He’s 8 feet tall, so, yeah, he going to cover up the rim every time he’s on the floor.”
The series now heads back to San Antonio for Game 5 tomorrow night.
