The Western Conference Semifinals reached a boiling point at Target Center as San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul on Timberwolves center Naz Reid.
During a pivotal Game 4 matchup on Sunday, May 10, the French phenom caught Reid with a high elbow to the throat area during a congested battle for an offensive rebound. The officiating crew immediately halted play to review the contact, ultimately ruling it unnecessary and excessive, which triggered an automatic ejection for the Spurs’ cornerstone.
While the basketball world debated the intent behind the swing, the Timberwolves capitalized on Wembanyama’s absence to grind out a 114–109 victory and even the series. Despite the heavy blow, Naz Reid’s post-game reaction stole the headlines for its pure, old-school grit.
What exactly happened during the Game 4 collision?
The incident unfolded with 8:39 remaining in the second quarter when Victor Wembanyama secured an offensive board and was immediately swarmed by Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels.
In a clear moment of frustration with the physical defense Minnesota had been playing, Wembanyama snapped his right elbow back to clear space. The elbow connected flush with Reid’s jaw and neck, sending the Timberwolves’ big man to the floor in visible distress.
The officials took several minutes at the replay monitor as the Minneapolis crowd grew increasingly hostile. Upon reviewing the wind-up and the point of contact, the officials upgraded the foul to a Flagrant 2, marking the first time in Wembanyama’s career that he was tossed from a game. Minnesota led 36–34 at the time of the ejection.
How did Naz Reid respond to the physical contact?
In the locker room following the win, Naz Reid was asked about the pain of the hit and the impact it had on his ability to stay in the game.
Rather than offering a lengthy explanation or complaining about the foul, Reid delivered a deadpan, six-word response that immediately went viral among sports fans. “Pain is weakness leaving the body, that’s it,” Reid stated with a stoic expression, essentially ending any discussion about his physical condition.
The quote perfectly encapsulated the “Blue Collar” identity of the current Timberwolves roster and their refusal to let physical play disrupt their focus. Reid’s toughness has become a rallying point for the team as they navigate the most physical series of the 2026 postseason.
Fun fact: Naz Reid became the third undrafted player in NBA history to win the Sixth Man of the Year award, a feat he achieved in 2024.
What was the Spurs’ stance on the ejection?
San Antonio’s coaching staff and players expressed frustration after the game, suggesting that the level of physicality allowed against Wembanyama led to the outburst.
Head coach Mitch Johnson defended his star, stating that while he didn’t want Reid to get hit, Wembanyama has been forced to protect himself due to the constant grabbing and pushing from Minnesota defenders. Johnson described the defensive treatment of Wembanyama as “disgusting” and argued that the officials need to call more off-ball fouls.
Wembanyama appeared genuinely confused on the floor when the ejection was announced, reportedly asking teammate Harrison Barnes what the ruling meant. Despite the early exit, he finished the night with four points and four rebounds in just 13 minutes of action. The Spurs locker room remained united, with teammates noting that they have Wembanyama’s back regardless of the officiating decisions.
Fun fact: Victor Wembanyama set a new all-time NBA Playoff record by recording 12 blocks in a single game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on May 4, 2026.
How has the series progressed since the Game 4 incident?
While the Timberwolves used the momentum from Reid’s resilience to tie the series, the Spurs responded with a massive counterpunch in Game 5.
On Tuesday, May 12, Wembanyama returned to the lineup without a suspension and dominated the floor, logging 27 points and 17 rebounds in a 126–97 blowout win. The victory pushed the Spurs to a 3–2 series lead, putting the Timberwolves on the brink of elimination as they head back home for Game 6.
The blowout loss in Game 5 highlighted how quickly momentum can shift in the NBA playoffs. Despite Naz Reid’s legendary quote and the grit shown in Game 4, the Timberwolves struggled to contain a motivated Wembanyama when he stayed on the floor. Minnesota must now find a way to re-establish its defensive dominance without crossing the line into flagrant territory again.
What is the outlook for the upcoming Game 6?
The Timberwolves return home for a must-win Game 6 on Friday, May 15, with their season on the line.
The narrative of the series has become a battle of wills between the young, generational talent of Wembanyama and the veteran physical presence of the Timberwolves’ frontcourt. Fans are expecting another high-intensity environment at Target Center, with Naz Reid likely to play a major role in the rotation, providing the toughness needed to slow down the Spurs’ offense.
If Minnesota wins, the series will head back to San Antonio for a winner-take-all Game 7 on Sunday. However, if Wembanyama continues his Game 5 form, the Timberwolves will have a difficult time forcing that final matchup. For Naz Reid, the mission remains the same: play through the pain and use every bit of leverage to keep the Timberwolves’ title hopes alive for at least one more night.
TL;DR
- Victor Wembanyama was ejected in Game 4 for a Flagrant 2 foul after elbowing Naz Reid in the throat.
- Naz Reid gave a viral, six-word response to the hit: “Pain is weakness leaving the body, that’s it.”
- The Timberwolves won Game 4 to tie the series 2–2, but the Spurs took Game 5 to lead 3–2.
- Wembanyama faced no league suspension and returned to dominate Game 5 with 27 points.
- Game 6 is scheduled for Friday, May 15, as Minnesota faces elimination at home.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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