The Minnesota TimberwolvesTeam·Minnesota Timberwolves expressed no surprise or desire for a suspension regarding San Antonio SpursTeam·San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor WembanyamaPlayer·Victor Wembanyama, who was ejected from Game 4 of their Western Conference SemifinalsCompetition·Western Conference Semifinals matchup. Veteran point guard Mike ConleyPlayer·Mike Conley articulated the team's stance, highlighting a preference for facing top-tier competition.
"Honestly, I don't think we even thought about it much at all," Mike Conley told ESPN's Anthony Slater on Tuesday morning. "I think once the ruling came down it was just like, we expected that and just move forward. We don't want guys to miss games. We want to play against the best. We're gonna be ready for the best team they put out there."
Wembanyama received a Flagrant 2 foul and was ejected on May 11, 2026, after an elbow to Timberwolves center Naz ReidPlayer·Naz Reid. The incident sparked debate among some observers, including podcaster Draymond GreenPlayer·Draymond Green, who suggested a suspension might be warranted based on past precedents for similar physical plays. However, the NBA ultimately decided against further disciplinary action, clearing Wembanyama to play in the pivotal Game 5.
The decision ensures that one of the series' most compelling figures remains on the court, a move that aligns with the league's interest in competitive integrity and entertainment value, particularly in a high-stakes playoff environment. The Timberwolves secured a 114-109 victory in Game 4, evening the series after the Spurs had taken a 2-1 lead with a 115-108 win in Game 3.
As the series progresses, the physicality of the contest remains a focal point. Spurs coach Mitch JohnsonCoach·Mitch Johnson's commentary following the incident, coupled with the on-court action, sets the stage for a potentially intense Game 5. Conley, preparing for his 119th career playoff game, acknowledged the fluctuating nature of officiating in postseason play.
"We seem to be in the middle of a lot of those series where it gets real physical, chippy," Conley noted. "And game by game, it changes. Depending on who you have as a crew, it dictates how physical you can be. We have to be smart with that. We have to use that experience. ... It can't be two games ago, it can't be last game. We have to be ready for what's called tonight, and I think we've handled that well over the last few series."
The Timberwolves, who finished the 2025-26 regular season as the 6th seed in the Western ConferenceCompetition·Western Conference with a 49-33 record, advanced to the semifinals after upsetting the 3rd-seeded Denver NuggetsTeam·Denver Nuggets in six games. The Spurs, the 2nd seed in the Western ConferenceCompetition·Western Conference with an impressive 62-20 record, defeated the Portland Trail BlazersTeam·Portland Trail Blazers in five games in the first round. Victor WembanyamaPlayer·Victor Wembanyama was recognized for his exceptional play, being named the unanimous NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season.
Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday night in San Antonio, tipping off at 7:12 p.m. CT / 8:12 p.m. ET / 5:12 p.m. PT and will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock. The outcome will significantly impact the trajectory of this tightly contested Western Conference SemifinalsCompetition·Western Conference Semifinals series.
Anthony Edwards reacts after hitting a three-pointer against the San Antonio Spurs. May 10, 2026. ZUMA Press Wire/IMAGO
ZUMA Press Wire/IMAGOThis article was generated by AI (gemini-2.5-flash). Learn more.
