The Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers are giving it a run for their money, but the series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs has been nothing short of pure drama and adrenaline. With the series tied at 2-2, the Spurs have the home court advantage, but the Wolves are playing with unmatched confidence.
Their confidence would have been way higher if NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had come down hard on Spurs star Victor Wembanyama. Wemby was ejected from Game 4 for a brutal elbow that connected wholly with Naz Reid. The ejection was one of the easier decisions for officials, and a one- or two-game suspension wouldn’t have surprised anyone. In the end, Wembanyama is free to play the rest of the series.
Draymond Green says Timberwolves players elbowing Victor Wembanyama in the face as payback is “fair game”
That doesn’t sit too well with Draymond Green. The polarizing Golden State Warriors player has had his fair share of similar situations, which has led to suspensions in the past – even during the playoffs, and the NBA Finals to boot. Given the lack of a suspension for Wemby, Green has implored Timberwolves players to get payback however they want against Wembanyama.
What if the shoe was on the other foot and it was Naz Reid taking out Wemby? I think the situation would look totally different. There would be fines. There would be suspensions… After watching [Spurs coach Mitch Johnson] say, ‘Well, I’m happy he took matters into his own hands and leveled Naz Reid with an elbow,’ I would say to the Timberwolves, ‘Hey guys, this is fair game’. There’s no suspension, there’s no fines. Who’s coming out there tomorrow night and doing it to Wemby? Who’s gonna elbow him in the face?
Unsurprisingly, Green’s take on the situation has been divisive. One section of fans agree that there should have at least been a fine for Wembanyama. But another section feels that Green is completely missing the point that the Timberwolves have been “playing dirty” and coaxed Wembanyama into overreacting.
One thing is for sure: Game 5 will be must-watch TV when the Wolves visit the Spurs in San Antonio.