Spurs Coach Glad Wemby ‘Protected Himself’ vs Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves evened their series against the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night, 2-2, turning their second round 2026 NBA Playoff matchup into a best-of-three.
Of course, they did it without San Antonio’s Defensive Player of the Year, 22-year-old phenom, Victor Wembanyama, for much of the game. This after he made time, early in the second quarter, for an intimate meeting between his right elbow and the throat/chin area of Naz Reid, leading to his ejection.
Victor Wembanyama was called for a Flagrant 2 and ejected from the game
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) May 11, 2026
pic.twitter.com/sslvXTQ1dP
Wembanyama was booted after just 12 minutes played, finishing with 4 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist. The Wolves were up 36-34 at the time of Wemby’s ejection, and the Spurs were able to hold things together rather impressively, in his absence.
In the end, San Antonio’s undermanned effort wasn’t enough… mostly thanks to Minnesota’s non-ejected superstar, Anthony Edwards. The 24-year-old injured Ant went for 36 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal in 40 minutes played.
Spurs coach defends Victor Wembanyama elbow vs MN Timberwolves
Afterwards, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson was not upset with his 7’4″ unicorn. In fact, quite the opposite. He praised of Wemby for standing up for himself and said that if the refs aren’t going to do it, then someone has to.
Then, when asked if he thought the elbow was intentional, Johnson said that he “by no means thought it was intentional”… which is interesting since protecting yourself is usually an intentional act.
Mitch Johnson, more angry than we've ever seen him publicly.
— SpursRΞPORTΞR (@SpursReporter) May 11, 2026
Says the refs have not protected Wemby. Feels he's getting hit on every play. pic.twitter.com/ylxtE6SOfN
“The amount of physicality that people play with [Wembanyama], at some level, you have to protect yourself. Every single play on every single part of the floor, people are trying to impose their physicality on him.
I get it, we get it, that’s part of the game. But at some stage — he’s gotten chucked, he’s gotten pushed down in transition, running freely, all the stuff. He doesn’t complain one time, we don’t complain because we’re just gonna play. We don’t really give a shit, excuse my language.
But at some stage, he should be protected and, if not, he’s gonna have to protect himself.”
Mitch Johnson – press conference (above)
The Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs will play again on Tuesday, in game 5. In all likelihood, Webanyama will be on the floor.
Unlike what Mitch claims, the elbow was 100% intentional. You can even see Victor peek back at Naz before he delivers the blow. However, I can’t see a reality in which the NBA suspends their golden child for a crucial Game 5 back in San Antonio. Not after he sat most of Game 4.
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