The Timberwolves’ 114-109 victory over the Spurs in Game 4 has levelled the series at 2-2. However, the game was overshadowed by an early ejection of Spurs’ star Victor Wembanyama.
Wembanyama’s Early Exit Proves Costly
Victor Wembanyama’s night ended prematurely after he was disqualified for striking Naz Reid. Wembanyama slammed his right elbow into Reid’s neck, resulting in a Flagrant 2 foul in the second quarter of Sunday’s Game 4 loss.
The Spurs center only played 12:29, leaving nearly 33 minutes of game time on the table. At the time of the incident, the Spurs were up 36-34. Without Wembanyama, San Antonio were outscored 80-73 for the remainder of the match.
Historical Context for Short Playoff Appearances
Wembanyama’s short outing ranks among some of the shortest healthy postseason performances from NBA legends. Here are a few examples:
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 10 minutes
- Bill Russell: 20 minutes
- LeBron James: 24 minutes
- Michael Jordan: 29 minutes
- Wilt Chamberlain: 34 minutes
David Robinson and Tim Duncan, also of the Spurs, had similarly short appearances once each. Robinson played just 7:11 in a 2002 game against Seattle, while Duncan played 12:06 against OKC in 2016.
Game 5 Hinges on Wembanyama’s Impact
Wembanyama missed key moments of Game 4 after his ejection. Game 5 may hinge on the impact he makes for the Spurs.
The Spurs will need Wembanyama to stay on the court longer in Game 5 on Tuesday if they hope to regain control against the Timberwolves.