The Western Conference Semifinals matchup is tied at 2-2 after Minnesota capitalized on Victor Wembanyama’s Game 4 ejection.
SAN ANTONIO — The last time Victor Wembanyama came back from missed playoff action, he posted a near-triple-double on 27 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocks against the Trail Blazers last month.
As with that Round 1 matchup that saw the Spurs star missing a game due to his concussion, he may be returning to the hardwood with a chip on his shoulder Tuesday after his second-quarter ejection from Game 4—a battle the Timberwolves ultimately won to even up the series at 2-2.
Unlike when he had his concussion, he won’t miss an entire game this time: NBA officials on Monday decided Wembanyama, the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year, would see no more punishment after elbowing Minnesota’s Naz Reid in the head Sunday night. He faced the possibility of a fine and/or suspension.
“I just think the amount of physicality that people play with, with him, at some level you have to protect yourself,” Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said of his young All-Star’s actions, calling the “lack of protection” from referees “disgusting.”
Reid was able to remain in the game. Wembanyama was issued a Flagrant 2 foul after officials’ review, automatically leading to his ejection.
The best-of-seven series is now a best-of-three as it returns to San Antonio. Despite the Game 4 loss, the Spurs reclaimed home-court advantage in the Western Conference Semifinals matchup after winning Game 3 in Minnesota; two of the last three games are in Frost Bank Center.
As has routinely been the case so far in the playoffs, San Antonio’s young guards performed admirably after Wembanyama was ejected three minutes into the second quarter Sunday. Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper both scored 24 points to lead the Silver & Black, maintaining their composure against a more playoff-experience Timberwolves team that was ultimately carried to victory by a sterling Anthony Edwards performance (36 points, 16 in the final frame).
Take over center duties in Wemby’s absence Luke Kornet finished with seven points on 3-of-4 shooting, as well as nine rebounds, two blocks, an assist and a steal in 26 minutes, a high for the backup in this second-round series.
Since the start of the 2015-2016 season, including playoff action, the Spurs are 13-6 against the Timberwolves at home. Tipoff for Game 5 is at 7 p.m. CT.
How to watch
The game will be televised on NBC and available to stream on Peacock. You can also listen to game action on WOAI 1200 and KXTN 1350.
Team stats leaders (playoffs)
- POINTS: Victor Wembanyama (19.6), Stephon Castle (18.9), De’Aaron Fox* (18.7)
- REBOUNDS: Wembanyama (10.5), Julian Champagnie (5.8), Luke Kornet (5.4)
- ASSISTS: Castle (6.1), Fox* (5.6), Devin Vassell (2.8)
- BLOCKS: Wembanyama (4.4), Mason Plumlee (1.0), Kornet (0.9)
Timberwolves
- POINTS: Anthony Edwards (21.5), Julius Randle (17.2), Jaden McDaniels (16.6)
- REBOUNDS: Rudy Gobert (10.4), Naz Reid (7.6), Randle (7.3)
- ASSISTS: Donte DiVincenzo* (4.0), Ayo Dosunmu (3.5), Randle (3.2)
- BLOCKS: Gobert (1.2), Edwards (0.9), McDaniels (0.7)
Injury report
As of Monday night, here’s where the team’s respective injury reports stack up:
- De’Aaron Fox – Questionable (ankle soreness)
Timberwolves
- Donte DiVincenzo – Out (Achilles)