Victor Wembanyama’s at times excessive defensive intensity has been a major point of contention throughout the NBA Finals, as the San Antonio Spurs superstar’s physicality has begun to tarnish his reputation.
Wembanyama once again came under fire during Saturday’s Game 5 home clash against the New York Knicks after seemingly getting away with a flagrant foul on Jalen Brunson.
Victor Wembanyama Faces Backlash After Controversial No-Call in Knicks-Spurs Game 5
With New York trailing 59-50 midway through the third quarter, Brunson brought the ball up the court and pulled up for a 3-pointer at the top of the arc, with Wembanyama coming over to contest the shot.
While the Knicks star connected on the triple, Wembanyama took away his space on the closeout, causing Brunson to land awkwardly on the 7-foot-4 big man’s right foot and tumble to the ground.
The dangerous play, which could have injured Brunson, prompted the three-time All-Star to spring up and storm over to official Tyler Ford on the other end of the court to express his discontent.
The in-game commentary crew noted that there was “no doubt” Wembanyama got away with the contact, as such reckless closeouts are typically penalized with flagrant fouls.
Jalen Brunson was livid after the no-call on Victor Wembanyamapic.twitter.com/dhGw5uyg1z
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) June 14, 2026
Wembanyama entered Game 5 with three flagrant foul points after delivering an elbow to Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns’ chin in Game 4 and elbowing Minnesota Timberwolves big man Naz Reid’s jaw in the Western Conference semifinals.
Another flagrant foul point would have resulted in an automatic suspension for the Spurs phenom if the series had been extended to Game 6. As such, the NBA community on X was outraged over the referees swallowing their whistles.
“Victor Wembanyama is the dirtiest star player in the modern NBA. I’ve never seen anything like this. Embarrassing,” ESPN New York’s Jake Asman fumed.
Victor Wembanyama is the dirtiest star player in the modern NBA. I’ve never seen anything like this. Embarrassing.
— Jake Asman (@JakeAsman) June 14, 2026
“Jalen Brunson just charged and screamed at Tyler Ford after no foul was called on his 3, where he fell on Wembanyama’s foot. Possible reckless closeout on Wemby not called. Mike Brown is livid as well,” ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel reacted.
Jalen Brunson just charged and screamed at Tyler Ford after no foul was called on his three, where he fell on Wembanyama’s foot.
Possible reckless closeout on Wemby not called.
Mike Brown is livid as well.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) June 14, 2026
“Wow. Wembanyama stuck his foot under Brunson on a 3-pointer. Refs ignored it. If that’s called a flagrant, Wemby would be suspended for next game (if there’s one). A potentially momentous non-call,” The New York Post’s Stefan Bondy wrote.
Wow. Wembanyama stuck his foot under Brunson on a 3-pointer. Refs ignored it. If that’s called a flagrant, Wemby would be suspended for next game (if there’s one).
A potentially momentous non-call.
— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) June 14, 2026
“Good to see that landing area flagrant is called a million times out of a million, unless Victor Wembanyama does it,” The Athletic’s Tony Jones griped.
Good to see that landing area flagrant called a million times out of a million, unless Victor Wembanyama does it
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) June 14, 2026
“Inexcusable blown call by the refs. Wemby clearly puts his foot in Brunson’s landing area. That’s 100% a flagrant, which means Wemby would be suspended for Game 6 is Spurs win. Instead, Brunson is on the ground and Vassell hits a 3PT and the Knicks have to call a timeout,” author Tommy Beer weighed in.
Inexcusable blown call by the refs.
Wemby clearly puts his foot in Brunson’s landing area.
That’s 100% a flagrant – which means Wemby would be suspended for Game 6 is spurs win.
Instead, Brunson is on the ground and Vassell hits a 3PT and the Knicks have to call a timeout
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) June 14, 2026
“Wemby should have absolutely been called for a Flagrant on that. Which would have suspended him for a potential Game 6 (4 flagrant points). Brunson has every right to be livid. Injury potential, perceived favoritism, and scoreboard impact. Unreal,” Yahoo Sports’ Tom Haberstroh asserted.
Wemby should have absolutely been called for a Flagrant on that. Which would have suspended him for a potential Game 6 (4 flagrant points).
Brunson has every right to be livid. Injury potential, perceived favoritism and scoreboard impact. Unreal.
— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) June 14, 2026
Fortunately for New York, Brunson avoided an injury, and Wembanyama’s divisive play ultimately proved relatively inconsequential. The Knicks pulled off yet another comeback, rallying from a 16-point deficit to prevail 94-90.
Brunson scored a franchise Finals record 45 points, including 13 straight points in the fourth quarter, to power New York to its first championship in 53 years en route to taking home MVP of the series.
