What does than mean?': Wembanyama confused after playoff ejection for elbowing Reid

"Wembanyama was whistled for an offensive foul as soon as he struck Reid, who had swarmed the Spurs star outside the paint along with teammate Jaden McDaniels after the 7ft 4in Wembanyama rebounded a missed three-pointer by the Spurs. After a video review of the play, with the fans at Minnesota's Target Center chanting, Kick him out! Kick him out!, the foul was upgraded to a Flagrant 2 for excessive contact above the neck. The penalty triggered an automatic ejection, and the Timberwolves went on to win 114-109."

"However, despite the ejection the Wolves never fully took advantage of the gift created by his absence. They've long had a tendency of losing their edge, particularly defensively, when an opponent's star player is missing and the score was closer than many of their fans may have expected. When the penalty was announced, Wembanyama appeared to ask teammate Harrison Barnes: What does that mean?"

"While Spurs coach Mitch Johnson did not condone Wembanyama's conduct he said referees needed to do more to protect him. He's going to have to protect himself if [the referees] are not It's disgusting. I just think that the amount of physicality that people play with him at some level you have to protect yourself, Johnson said after the game."

"After Wembanyama slapped hands with each of his Spurs teammates on his way off the floor, with the arena sound system blaring Michael Jackson's Beat It!, Reid sank both free throws to give the Timberwolves a 38-34 lead. The reigning NBA defensive player of the year finished with four points, four rebounds and three fouls in 13 minutes. With Reid, Julius Randle and McDaniels in their frontcourt, the Timberwolves have had plenty of muscle and tenacity to send at Wembanyama, even if he's been "

Wembanyama was ejected for the first time in his NBA career after striking Naz Reid with an elbow to the jaw and neck. The initial call was an offensive foul, but a video review upgraded it to a Flagrant 2 for excessive contact above the neck, triggering an automatic ejection. Minnesota won 114-109 to level the best-of-seven series at 2-2. Despite the advantage created by his absence, Minnesota did not fully capitalize, showing a pattern of losing defensive edge when an opponent’s star is missing. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson did not excuse the conduct and said referees should do more to protect Wembanyama, adding that players must protect themselves if officiating does not. Reid made two free throws after the ejection, and Wembanyama finished with four points, four rebounds, and three fouls in 13 minutes.

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