Mitch Johnson defends his star’s first career ejection, blaming a lack of officiating protection for the physical escalation that led to the rookie’s controversial elbow on Naz Reid.
During the game, San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama fought back.
And after the game? In his own way, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson did the same.
"It's really disappointing," Johnson said after Wembanyama's first career ejection, which occurred in the second quarter of the Spurs' 114-109 win in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals series Sunday at Minnesota. "At some level, it's starting to get disgusting in terms of when he tries to fight through things and be professional and mature and deal with some of that stuff.''
Added the coach: "I'm glad he took matters into his own hands.''
Them's fightin' words - literally.
Wembanyama "took matters into his own hands" when he elbowed Naz Reid in the neck and jaw, which triggered an ejection during a playoff loss to the Timberwolves.
As a result, the NBA MVP finalist Wemby scored a career-low four points.
And Johnson thinks the refs are to blame.
"I'm glad he took matters into his own hands,'' he said. "Not in terms of hitting Naz Reid, I want to be very clear about that. I'm glad Naz Reid is OK and I didn't want him to elbow him, but he's going to have to protect himself if they're (referees) not. And I think it's disgusting."
Johnson isn't arguing that Wemby, the 7-foot-4 Frenchman who might suddenly be the NBA's best player, should have avoided punishment.
Rather, he's reacting to the physicality of the Timberwolves, which is a smart tactic but borders on illegality.
Johnson said the "call was warranted," but cited a "lack of protection" for Wembanyama.
"Every single play on every single part of the floor, people are trying to impose their physicality on (him)," Johnson said. "We get it, it's part of the game. ... He's gotten chucked. He's gotten pushed down in transition, running freely, all the stuff. He doesn't complain one time. We don't complain because we're just going to play. We don't really give a [expletive]. But at some stage, he should be protected.
"If not, he's going to have to protect himself, and unfortunately, stuff like that happens."
The NBA said the play will be reviewed to determine if further disciplinary measures are appropriate. ... meaning Wemby could in theory be punished by having to sit out Tuesday's Game 5 in San Antonio.
Johnson predicted that Wembanyama would not suspended an any addition punishments would be "ridiculous."
With this series tied 2-2, the second-seeded Spurs will host the sixth-seeded Timberwolves in Game 5 at 7 p.m. CT Tuesday. Game 6 will be Friday in Minneapolis.