The San Antonio Spurs have been dealt a massive blow in their playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, with superstar Victor Wembanyama ejected for the first time in his NBA career after a flagrant foul on Naz Reid during Game 4.
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Wembanyama was ejected for the first time in his career after a flagrant foul on Naz Reid during the Spurs’ 114-109 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 4, which saw Minnesota draw level in the series at 2-2.
The incident occurred early in the second quarter with Minnesota holding a two-point lead. Frustrated after not receiving a foul call on the previous play, Wembanyama swung his elbow and caught Reid flush on the jaw.
Officials reviewed the play and determined the contact met all three criteria for a flagrant foul penalty two: wind-up, impact and follow-through.
“After review, there is wind-up, impact and follow-through above the neck of the opponent. It is unnecessary and excessive contact by Wembanyama. It meets all the criteria, it has been upgraded to a flagrant foul, penalty two. Wembanyama has been ejected,” the referee announced.
While stressing that he was “glad” Reid wasn’t seriously injured, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson leapt to his superstar’s defence after the game.
“I’m glad he took matters into his own hands. Not in terms of hitting Naz Reid, I want to be very clear about that. I’m glad Naz Reid is okay … but [Wemby’s] going to have to protect himself if [the refs] are not,” Johnson said.
“The amount of physicality that people play with, with him, at some level, you have to protect yourself.”
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year leaves a massive void for San Antonio, having averaged 23 points, 15 rebounds and 6.3 blocks per game in the series so far. His absence gives Minnesota a major opportunity to level the series.
KNICKS COMPLETE SERIES SWEEP
Then the historic party truly got started. This bludgeoning felt inevitable.
There was no suspense, no hint of this ever being competitive. The Knicks’ breathtaking 3-point shooting — their 25 made 3s tied the NBA record for most in a playoff game — wouldn’t allow for any of that. They put the 76ers out of their misery in emphatic fashion.
They completed a dominant sweep with a 144-114 rout Sunday afternoon, securing their spot in the Eastern Conference finals for the second straight season. They’ll have to wait for the Pistons-Cavaliers series to finish before learning their opponent.
Monday marked seven straight postseason wins, beginning when they trailed 2-1 in the first round. That feels like ages ago. Six of those seven wins have been by double digits.
The Knicks played it cautiously and were again without OG Anunoby due to his right hamstring strain. It didn’t slow them down one bit. Miles McBride, starting in his place for the second straight game, erupted for 25 points — his most since Jan. 15 — on red-hot 7-for-9 shooting from 3-point range.
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It was part of an incredible all-around 3-point shooting performance for the Knicks.
They shot 11-for-13 from 3-point range in the first quarter — tying the NBA record for most made 3s in a quarter in playoff history. And they were really 11-for-12 without Landry Shamet’s heave as time expired.
McBride hit four in a row. Jalen Brunson drilled three. Shamet made two. Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart added one apiece. The 76ers, meanwhile, went 2-for-10 from deep in the first quarter.
In total, the Knicks scored 43 points in the first quarter and led by 19 going into the second.
By the first timeout in the second quarter, the Knicks’ lead was up to 27. The 76ers had already let go of the rope.
The Knicks drilled seven more 3s in that second quarter. Their 18 made 3s in the first half tied the NBA record for most in any half in playoff history. They had 81 points in the first half and led by 24 at the break.
The rest was strictly procedural.
Brunson embarrassed Dominick Barlow with a crossover before finishing with a layup. McBride stole Embiid’s inbounds pass and kicked it to Brunson, who made a 3-pointer. It was five points in five seconds for Brunson and gave the Knicks a 29-point lead with 7:19 left in the third quarter.
That’s when the “Knicks in four” chants began. It wouldn’t be long until the “Tyler Kolek” chants cropped up. There was not much left for the 76ers to do other than go through the motions — and be taunted on their home court in the process.
The Knicks emptied their bench with just under three minutes left in the third quarter. They led by 39 heading into the fourth. It was around then that Franklin the Dog, the 76ers mascot, was being tormented by Knicks fans as he worked his way through the crowd.
Brunson finished with 22 points and six assists. Towns added 17 points, 10 assists and four rebounds. Hart had 17 points and nine rebounds. Shamet chipped in 12 points.
The rally towels the 76ers gave away in the arena said “Fight for Philly. Fight for each other.”
This was no fight. The 76ers went down with a whimper.
How sweep it is.