Every playoff game has been filled with controversial moments that have become hot topics of discussion. Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs has been no exception.
One incident that could spark a heated debate was Victor Wembanyama’s apparent elbow to Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, which the referees did not call in the first half.
The decision drew negative reactions from basketball circles, mostly directed at the 7-foot-4 Spurs center.
Non-Call on Victor Wembanyama’s Elbow to Isaiah Hartenstein Sparks Controversy
The contact occurred with 40 seconds remaining in the first quarter of Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The Spurs were ahead 31-22 when Wembanyama was trying to drive to the basket with Hartenstein defending him.
Wembanyama drove past his counterpart, his elbow hitting Hartenstein’s face hard, resulting in the Thunder slotman falling to the ground, with an offensive foul being called.
Wemby gets the elbow up on Isaiah Hartenstein’s face.
Offensive foul called. No flagrant.
Mark Daigneault given a technical.pic.twitter.com/nQEGG4D3uq
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) May 31, 2026
Believing the contact warranted a flagrant, the Thunder bench, led by head coach Mark Daigneault, protested, claiming it should be a Flagrant Foul Penalty 1. However, the referees upheld the call, and Oklahoma City’s bench tactician was assessed a technical foul.
Various personalities in the NBA community expressed shock at the final call, with one NBA enthusiast and social media influencer calling Wembanyama a “dirty player.”
“CONFIRMED THROUGH VIDEO EVIDENCE: Wemby is a dirty player. Victor Wembanyama throws a brutal elbow to a OKC Thunder player. Thunder challenged and proved it too. How many times is this kind of thing going to happen this is dangerous low key,” they posted.
CONFIRMED THROUGH VIDEO EVIDENCE: Wemby is a dirty player
Victor Wembanyama throws a brutal elbow to a OKC Thunder player
Thunder challenged and proved it too. How many times is this kind of thing going to happen this is dangerous low key pic.twitter.com/ESMgY5CCFy
— The HoopFather (@TheHoopFather) May 31, 2026
Thunder beat reporter Michael Martin added his perspective on the issue, insisting the contact should be a Flagrant 1.
“This should be a flagrant 1 with the elbow to Hartenstein’s face, but I just won’t believe they will call it on Wemby until they do,” Martin said.
This should be a flagrant 1 with the elbow to Hartenstein’s face, but I just won’t believe they will call it on Wemby until they do.
— Michael Martin (@MichaelOnSports) May 31, 2026
“Dirtiest player in the NBA but he’s playing against OKC so nobody will say it,” another user wrote.
Dirtiest player in the NBA but he’s playing against OKC so nobody will say it https://t.co/bEItLI8dnN
— The 1796 (@The1796) May 31, 2026
Yahoo Sports’ Tom Haberstroh identified the referee who missed the inadvertent Wembanyama elbow as John Goble and commented that players are not a fan of this.
“Referee who missed the Wemby elbow but called Hartenstein foul is John Goble. Players are … not a fan. ‘Tier 3: Needs Improvement,'” Haberstroh pointed out.
Referee who missed the Wemby elbow but called Hartenstein foul is John Goble.
Players are … not a fan. “Tier 3: Needs Improvement” https://t.co/aVdHFIuGaV
— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) May 31, 2026
An Oklahoma City social media influencer with the handle JAE wrote their best three-word description on the non-call.
“This is crazy,” they posted.
This is crazy https://t.co/98QNcOEF2B
— JAE (@OkieFBfan) May 31, 2026
Sports follower RozierHater also expressed disbelief in the controversial instance, writing, “I mean, these refs are ridiculous.”
From Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s apparent flopping to sell a call, to Wembanyama refusing to address the media after San Antonio’s Game 5 loss, the controversies surrounding this series continue to dominate the discussion.
