Victor Wembanyama Avoids Suspension and Gives Spurs Huge Boost for Game 5

In the Game 4 matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves, there was no shortage of storylines. Not only did Minnesota tie the series at 2-2 before it shifts back to San Antonio for Game 5, but Victor Wembanyama was ejected in the first half after throwing an elbow that caught Naz Reid in the throat.

The Spurs obviously missed Wembanyama in the second half following that ejection, and there was real question regarding his availability moving forward for Game 5 and beyond. There was at least a chance that a suspension could be in play, especially given how important he is to everything San Antonio does on both ends of the floor.

But the Spurs got the best possible news they could have gotten on Monday following that incident. There will be no further action from the league, which means no suspension and no fine. Wembanyama will be good to go for Game 5, and that is massive for San Antonio with this series now tied 2-2 and heading back home.

Because as good and as deep as the Spurs are, they are a completely different team without Wembanyama on the floor. He changes everything about their identity, especially defensively, and his absence in the second half of Game 4 was a major factor as Minnesota was able to finish that game off and even the series.

So in the league’s eyes, it is pretty clear that the ejection itself was enough punishment. Wembanyama was tossed in the first half, missed the entire second half, and the NBA clearly did not see the incident as severe enough to warrant anything additional beyond that.

That makes this a huge development for the Spurs. Instead of going into Game 5 shorthanded and on the defensive, San Antonio now gets its best player back in a pivotal game on its home floor. And in a series that suddenly feels completely up for grabs, that is about as important as it gets.