Officials ejected Victor Wembanyama for a flagrant 2 foul after he elbowed Naz Reid in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves.
On Monday, the league announced that no further punishments will be handed out, so Wembanyama avoided a fine or suspension that would impact his availability for Game 5.
Draymond Green Reacts to Victor Wembanyama Elbowing Naz Reid
Green has a history of picking up flagrant fouls and suspensions throughout his 14-year career. He has accumulated six different suspensions from 2016 to 2024.
After Wembanyama elbowed Reid in the face on Sunday, the Golden State Warriors veteran took to X to share his thoughts about the incident and how it compares to the discourse surrounding his incidents.
An NBA influencer posted, “If this was Draymond Green, how many games would we be asking for?”
Green quote-tweeted this post and replied, “Y’all have called for my career for less.”
Y’all have called for my career for less. https://t.co/CUDr4X7yJK
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) May 11, 2026
The four-time All-Star’s reaction came less than an hour before ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Wembanyama won’t be suspended or fined for the incident. Wembanyama’s ejection played a critical role in the Timberwolves’ 114-109 Game 4 victory.
The NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year clearly elbowed Reid with intention and excessive force with 8:39 left in the second quarter. It resulted in his first career ejection, but Green is no stranger to these situations. He has had multiple incidents like this that have resulted in ejections and suspensions in recent years.
Green committed a flagrant 2 foul on Jusuf Nurkić in December of 2023. Both centers were fighting for position when Green turned around and whacked Nurkić in the side of the face. Nurkić immediately fell to the ground, holding his head. Green received a 12-game suspension following the incident.
Before the Nurkić incident, Green received a five-game suspension in November of 2023 after head-locking Rudy Gobert during a fight. Klay Thompson and Jaden McDaniels started the scuffle, but Green escalated the situation when he would not let go of the Timberwolves center. Thompson, McDaniels, and Green were all ejected, but Green was the only player to receive a suspension.
A player’s prior antics often play a key role when the league office debates possible suspensions. This was Wembanyama’s first career ejection, which likely helped him avoid a suspension or fine.
“Two league sources say no prior history and lead up to elbow played a role. If first foul on play had been called, probably would not have happened,” Spurs reporter Don Harris reported.
Two league sources say no prior history and lead up to Elbow played a role. If first foul on play had been called, probably would not have happened.
— Don Harris (@DonHarris4) May 11, 2026
Green, on the other hand, is a repeat offender, and the league specifically cited this when they announced his 12-game suspension in 2023. “This outcome takes into account Green’s repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts,” the league said in a statement.
The Spurs and Timberwolves now turn their attention to a pivotal Game 5 on May 12. Dating back to 2018, the team that wins Game 5 goes on to win the series 82.8% of the time.
