‘Very Intentional’: Stephen A. Smith Fears Wemby’s Suspension After First Career Ejection

Victor Wembanyama was ejected after a Flagrant 2 in Game 4 between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the San Antonio Spurs. And Stephen A. Smith fears that the NBA might suspend Wemby for Game 5 in San Antonio.

Early in the second quarter, Wembanyama hit Naz Reid in the throat area with his elbow. He grabbed the rebound over Reid and Jaden McDaniels. Jaden then caught his left hand, and the Frenchman swung his right elbow with the ball in his grip, sending Reid crashing to the court. 

“D***! @wemby’s ejection — unfortunately — was very warranted,” Smith wrote in a post on X. “Can’t swing your elbow like that. Very intentional. No debate. But I’m praying he doesn’t (get) SUSPENDED for Game, which is very possible. We shouldn’t want decisions like that deciding a series. But we shall see.”

Wembanyama’s ejection went on to help the Timberwolves, who tied the series to 2-2, defeating the Spurs 114-109. But if Smith’s fears come true, it could turn the series in Minnesota’s favor as well.

According to the NBA’s rulebook, a Flagrant 2 results in ejection and a fine of a minimum of $2,000. But it doesn’t automatically warrant suspension of a player from the next game or more.

Each player gets a one-game suspension only after four points (a flagrant 1 foul gets one point, and a flagrant 2 foul is equivalent to two points).

The league also makes a decision about suspension after ‌taking a look at the foul. 

San Antonio fans do have a silver lining in Wembanyama’s case. The NBA suspends a player after a Flagrant 2 only if they have a long history of unsportsmanlike ‌actions. Wembanyama certainly doesn’t qualify in that category. 

Victor Wembanyama was confused after his first career ejection

This was Wembanyama’s first career ejection, and it would not have come at a worse time.

While the referees reviewed the footage to make their decision, Minnesota fans continued to chant “Throw him out” the whole time. 

Referee Zach Zarba eventually announced the penalty, but the Spurs star was confused. He asked for clarification from Harrison Barnes, who was standing near him.

“What does that mean?” Wemby asked.

“I’m ejected?” he questioned in confusion when Barnes told him that he was thrown out of the game. 

With the series on the line, both teams will face each other on Tuesday in San Antonio for Game 5. All eyes will now be on the NBA, whether they suspend the Spurs’ superstar or not.