San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) dribbles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half during game six of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Frost Bank Center.
May 28, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) dribbles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half during game six of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images
NBA

‘REALLY DID Order a Hit’ — NBA World Reacts As NBC Exposes Victor Wembanyama’s ‘Dirty’ Directive in Spurs-Thunder Series

Victor Wembanyama faces backlash after cameras appeared to catch the Spurs star telling teammates to commit "hard fouls" vs. the Thunder.

Much of the attention surrounding the Western Conference finals has been on the Oklahoma City Thunder’s aggressive play and questionable foul calls, with San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle voicing his frustration about OKC’s excessive physicality after Game 5.

However, the Spurs now find themselves at the center of controversy after a new NBC broadcast angle appeared to show superstar center Victor Wembanyama telling his teammates to deliver “hard fouls” late in Game 5.

Victor Wembanyama Draws Heat Over ‘Hard Fouls’ Message to Spurs’ Big Men

During Game 5 at Paycom Center, the Spurs were getting blown out late in the fourth quarter when coach Mitch Johnson subbed in third-string big men Mason Plumlee and Bismack Biyombo.

TV cameras then caught Wembanyama speaking separately to both players as they checked into the contest.

Moments later, Plumlee delivered a hard elbow to Jared McCain from behind during a screen, sending the Thunder guard to the floor. Not long after, Biyombo also committed a strong foul on McCain during a drive, further fueling the controversy.

McCain later admitted he was surprised by how physical the sequence became.

“Yeah, that was crazy. I didn’t expect it. We were at the free-throw line, and I was like, ‘Why’d you do that, man?’ He was like, ‘I got another one for you, too.’ It’s all competition, so gotta respect it,” McCain said after the game.

Then came the replay angle that sent the NBA world into a frenzy.

MORE: ‘This Is Devastating,’ ‘Cursed Playoffs’ — NBA World Reacts to Mitchell Robinson’s Upsetting Injury Update For NBA Finals

During Thursday’s Game 6 broadcast, a new clip showed what appeared to be Wembanyama telling Plumlee and Biyombo to commit “hard fouls” as they entered the game, with the commentators immediately pointing out the sequence on air.

“‘Hard foul,’ the broadcast just called Wemby out for this!” Barstool Sports posted after the replay aired.

“Nah, man, Wemby REALLY DID order a hit on the Thunder 😭😭. Bro told Plumlee and Biyombo ‘HARD FOULS’ as they entered the game 😩,” Hater Report posted.

“Bro, u can literally read his lips saying ‘hard fouls.’ How is this not punished?????” another user questioned.

“This is the dirty stuff you guys blame OKC for, hmmmm,” another wrote.

Thunder Film Room simply posted, “omg”

“He said ‘hard fouls,’ he called for it. THIS IS PATHETIC,” one Shai Gilgeous-Alexander fan account vented.

Others leaned fully into the villain narrative.

“Wemby in villain mode 😭. ‘Hard fouls’ got him sounding serious lmao😎,” Certified Hooper joked.

SM Highlights summed up the frustration and shock, writing, “Can’t believe people like this guy, genuinely there is so much wrong with this, and it’s getting almost no attention because it doesn’t fit the narrative. If Lu Dort said this, it would be front-page news all around the world.”

The NBA previously reviewed the incidents and announced Wednesday that Plumlee’s hard foul on McCain had been upgraded to a Flagrant 1.

Although the Spurs lost Game 5 badly, they responded in dominant fashion in Game 6, crushing the Thunder 118-91 at home to keep their title hopes alive.

Now the series heads back to Paycom Center for a do-or-die Game 7 on Saturday night with a trip to the NBA Finals on the line.

Mohammad Faisal
Written by Mohammad Faisal

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