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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.<\/p>\n
Watch NBA with ESPN on Kayo Sports | Stream an average 9 LIVE Regular Season games per week plus the best of the NBA Playoffs.| New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/b><\/i><\/p>\n Wembanyama was ejected for the first time in his career after a flagrant foul on Naz Reid during the Spurs\u2019 114-109 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 4, which saw Minnesota draw level in the series at 2-2.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Officials reviewed the play and determined the contact met all three criteria for a flagrant foul penalty two: wind-up, impact and follow-through.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter 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,\u201d the referee announced.<\/p>\n While stressing that he was \u201cglad\u201d Reid wasn\u2019t seriously injured, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson leapt to his superstar\u2019s defence after the game.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m glad he took matters into his own hands. Not in terms of hitting Naz Reid, I want to be very clear about that. I\u2019m glad Naz Reid is okay … but [Wemby\u2019s] going to have to protect himself if [the refs] are not,\u201d Johnson said. <\/p>\n \u201cThe amount of physicality that people play with, with him, at some level, you have to protect yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n KNICKS COMPLETE SERIES SWEEP<\/b><\/p>\n There was no suspense, no hint of this ever being competitive. The Knicks\u2019 breathtaking 3-point shooting \u2014 their 25 made 3s tied the NBA record for most in a playoff game \u2014 wouldn\u2019t allow for any of that. They put the 76ers out of their misery in emphatic fashion.<\/p>\n 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\u2019ll have to wait for the Pistons-Cavaliers series to finish before learning their opponent.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The Knicks played it cautiously and were again without OG Anunoby due to his right hamstring strain. It didn\u2019t slow them down one bit. Miles McBride, starting in his place for the second straight game, erupted for 25 points \u2014 his most since Jan. 15 \u2014 on red-hot 7-for-9 shooting from 3-point range.<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n