Victor Wembanyama Ejected After Brutal Elbow Hit On Naz Reid – NBA Playoffs Drama Unfolds

The 2026 NBA Western Conference semifinals took a dramatic turn on May 10 when San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, the league’s top defensive player, was ejected from Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves after delivering a violent elbow to Naz Reid. The incident marked Wembanyama’s first career ejection and left the Spurs without their defensive anchor for the remainder of the contest, ultimately contributing to a 114-109 Timberwolves victory that tied the series at two games apiece.

Wembanyama’s ejection came after a flagrant foul on Reid in the first half, an incident that drew immediate attention for its severity. The NBA has since indicated that the league will review the play for potential further disciplinary action. The Spurs, who had relied heavily on Wembanyama’s shot-blocking and defensive presence, found themselves at a disadvantage without him for the remainder of the game.

Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, who had just returned from injury, led the charge in the fourth quarter with 16 of his 36 points, helping the Timberwolves overcome the Spurs’ early dominance. Reid, who was targeted by Wembanyama, added 15 points and nine rebounds, while De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper each scored 24 points for San Antonio in Wembanyama’s absence. The Timberwolves’ ability to capitalize on the Spurs’ defensive shortfall proved decisive, as they closed out the game with a strong offensive push.

The series is now tied 2-2, with the Timberwolves holding home-court advantage. For the Spurs, the loss of Wembanyama—who recorded 11 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 blocks in the previous game—poses a significant challenge as they look to regroup and adjust their strategy for the remaining games. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, will look to maintain their momentum as they aim to advance to the Western Conference Finals.

Wembanyama’s ejection is not just a statistical footnote; it underscores the high stakes of playoff basketball, where individual moments can shift the momentum of an entire series. The NBA’s review of the incident will be closely watched, as any additional penalties could further impact the Spurs’ ability to compete in the coming games.

As the series heads toward a potential Game 7, both teams will need to address their respective weaknesses. For the Timberwolves, it will be about maintaining their offensive efficiency and capitalizing on defensive lapses. For the Spurs, the challenge will be to find a way to compensate for the loss of their defensive cornerstone, a task that has proven difficult even for the league’s best teams.