The San Antonio Spurs dropped Game 4 to the Minnesota Timberwolves, losing after Victor Wembanyama was ejected in the second quarter.
The San Antonio Spurs dropped Game 4 of their second-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night, losing 114-109. The Spurs, despite missing Victor Wembanyama, led for most of the second half, although a late Anthony Edwards-led run put the Wolves over the top.
The series is evened up at two games apiece as the Spurs and Wolves prepare to travel to San Antonio for Game 5 on Tuesday. Wembanyama was ejected midway through the second quarter after hitting Naz Reid in the face with an elbow. He would finish with four points and four rebounds.
Reid would go on to have an excellent game, finishing with 15 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. After the game, he brushed off questions regarding the altercation with Wemby.
Wolves Speak Out On Wemby Flagrant
All series long, the Wolves have been one of the most outspoken teams. In the first round against the Denver Nuggets, Jaden McDaniels called out his opponents by name, dubbing them "bad defenders."
When given the chance to throw a postgame jab Wembanyama's way, however, the Wolves quickly changed the subject.
"I was happy that Naz didn't really catch it like right in the teeth or anything like that, knock his teeth out or anything," said Mike Conley. "He was able to get up, and he's a tough dude. We needed him tonight."
Reid is one of the best bench players in the NBA and was a key difference maker down the stretch for the Wolves. After taking the elbow, he didn't think too much of the incident.
"Pain is weakness leaving the body, that's it," summed up Reid, who played through a lower-body injury sustained in the second half, as well as the shot to the face.
Barring a shocking suspension, Wembanyama will be back in the lineup for a pivotal Game 5, a contest that will put one team up 3-2 in the series. Without Wembanyama, the Spurs are still a solid team, but he's the difference between "good" and "great."
Fans can expect a tense showdown in Game 5, with both teams looking to get their blows in. Expect fans to be rowdy, the teams to be competitive, and for everyone to treat it like a must-win game.
In many ways, it absolutly will be.