Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama refuses to dwell on controversial elbow

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama looked genuinely surprised when he learned that he was ejected in Game 4 after throwing an elbow to Minnesota Timberwolves forward Naz Reid’s neck.

Wembanyama had to double-check with Spurs forward Harrison Barnes that he was disqualified. It happened in the second quarter, and his absence became too much to overcome for the Spurs, who fell to the Timberwolves, 114-109.

As soon as that was over, Wembanyama had nothing else in his mind other than to lift the Spurs in Game 5. He had 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks to lead San Antonio in routing Minnesota, 126-97, to move an inch closer to reaching the conference finals.

The 22-year-old Wembanyama made it clear that he refuses to dwell on his ejection—the first of his career—as reported by the San Antonio Express-News’ Tom Orsborn.

“It was two games ago. It’s the playoffs. I was focused on the game today, and now, I’m focusing on the game in Minnesota in three days. It’s the playoffs. We got to move on, and I got to care about my team,” said the Defensive Player of the Year.

Wembanyama also sidestepped the issue when he was asked about it in the postgame interview with NBC.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson lauded the two-time All-Star for his maturity in handling the situation, including tuning out the outside noise and sharpening his mindset ahead of Game 5.

In a report from the Associated Press’ Raul Dominguez, Wembanyama said he was “feeling good,” although he also acknowledged the pressure.

“Obviously, I’m going to be excited and have butterflies (in the stomach). So, excitement is not something abnormal at this point in the playoffs,” said the 7-foot-4 beanpole.

San Antonio will try to eliminate Minnesota in Game 6 at Target Center on Friday.

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