Victor Wembanyama has been guarded like a pest throughout the series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. They have been very physical, leaving a little extra in Game 4, so it was only a matter of time before Wemby was pushed over the edge. And that is exactly what happened when he snapped in the second quarter, swinging a ruthless elbow at Naz Reid’s face. Once the replay was slowed down, the referees didn’t have a choice but to eject the unanimous DPOY for the first time in his playoff career. Now, suspension conversations are rife in the NBA world, and Stephen A. Smith has offered his two cents.

Victor Wembanyama’s elbow was extremely dangerous. The officials had already called the foul when the Spurs star intentionally hit Reid with an elbow to the face. It unquestionably met the grounds for an ejection. Stephen A. Smith couldn’t see it any differently either. However, the ESPN analyst does fear the possible repercussions of Wemby’s hostile action.

“Damn! @wemby’s ejection — unfortunately — was very warranted. Can’t swing your elbow like that. Very intentional. No debate. But I’m praying he doesn’t SUSPENDED for Game [5], which is very possible. We shouldn’t want decisions like that deciding a series,” Smith wrote on X.

Even Skip Bayless was among those who didn’t feel Wembanyama should have been ejected.

“COME ON, DON’T THROW WEMBANYAMA OUT OF A GAME 4. THEY WERE ALL OVER HIM, FOULING THE HELL OUT OF HIM. SO HE GOT FRUSTRATED AND FOUGHT BACK. JUST RIDICULOUS,” he wrote on X.

From the action alone, Smith isn’t wrong. The league could evaluate the sequence and possibly suspend Wembanyama for Game 4. If they do, it will be because he struck Reid as the whistle went off.

For those unaware, the difference between the first and second tier of a flagrant foul is that the second is considered ‘unnecessary and excessive.’ The penalty for a Flagrant 2 foul is two free throws for the player who was fouled, and the offending player is ejected, which is what happened to Wembanyama. The infraction also carries a minimum fine of $2,000.

And if history is anything to go by, there have been a handful of suspensions for players throwing elbows in NBA games. In 2013, J.R. Smith was given a one-game suspension in the playoffs for throwing an elbow at Jason Terry. In 2016, Hassan Whiteside was handed the same penalty for elbowing Boban Marjanović.

In 2005, Kobe Bryant was given a two-game suspension for hitting Mike Miller in the throat with his elbow. According to ESPN, the longer penalty might have been a result of the legend’s postgame comments, during which he denied any wrongdoing.

At the same time, there’s also a chance the league gives the Spurs star some leeway in the matter. Victor Wembanyama doesn’t have a violent history. Moreover, this is the first time he’s been in a playoff setting.

Wembanyama was kept relatively quiet in Game 4. The Wolves held him to just 4 points before his ejection. The Spurs talisman didn’t record a single block, instead picking up three personal fouls in 12 minutes. It was a performance to forget, as Wembanyama’s retaliation further complicated the series for the Spurs.

Anthony Edwards steals Game 4 for the Timberwolves

On one side, Minnesota’s hostility and personal struggles pushed Victor Wembanyama over the edge. The Spurs superstar checked himself out. Then there was Anthony Edwards. After the Spurs took control, holding the Timberwolves to just 20 points in the third quarter, Minnesota needed Ant.

Their electric cornerstone answered the bell. Even Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson acknowledged Edwards’ performance. The fourth quarter was just that good, as Edwards’ heroics helped the Wolves tie the series 2-2.

Minnesota was burdened by its shortcomings in the third quarter. Even with Wembanyama off the floor, the Spurs limited their offense, forcing six turnovers at a crucial stage in the game. They really needed Edwards to take over. And Ant played the way a star would, scoring 16 points in the final period, making 6-of-8 from the field.

Anthony Edwards’ unanswered burst proved to be the death blow. The Timberwolves shot 52.2% from the field in the fourth quarter and grabbed 15 rebounds. It’s not a stretch to say that Wembanyama’s ejection changed the game. It cost the Spurs a solid chance at taking a 3-1 lead against the Timberwolves.

But they’ve now pumped them with energy. As talented and deep as the Spurs are, they can’t match the Timberwolves’ desperation. After falling short of the finals for two straight seasons, Minnesota is fully focused. Even if they have to battle San Antonio’s toughness, there won’t be a reaction like that of Victor Wembanyama. The team understands the value of having every player on the floor.

It’s anyone’s series to take after Game 4.