Mitch Johnson Defends Victor Wembanyama After Game 4 Ejection

The San Antonio Spurs fell 114-109 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4 on Sunday night, tying the series at two games apiece.

San Antonio spent most of the night without star Victor Wembanyama, who was ejected in the second quarter after a play officials ruled as an intentional elbow that struck Naz Reid.

After review, the call was upgraded to a flagrant 2 foul, resulting in an automatic ejection and likely setting up further league discipline, including a potential fine or suspension.

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Coming to Wembanyama's defense was Mitch Johnson, who said he was relieved that Naz Reid was OK, but approved of Wembanyama standing up for himself amid what he described as constant physical contact that isn't being consistently called.

"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] is going to have to protect himself if [the refs] are not. The amount of physicality that people play with him, at some level, you have to protect yourself," Johnson said.

Johnson also addressed whether Wembanyama should face additional punishment beyond his ejection, saying it would be "ridiculous" to add anything further.

"No. Again, I don't even know the legality or the rules, but there was zero intent. They did what they did because of the outcome of the play, so be it, but I think anything on top of that would be ridiculous," Johnson said.

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This story was originally published May 11, 2026 at 10:41 AM.