Overview
- After a Flagrant 2 ejection in Game 4 for elbowing Naz Reid, the NBA issued no fine or suspension and cleared Victor Wembanyama to play Game 5.
- Draymond Green criticized the decision as a double standard and said Minnesota should answer with physical play.
- Minnesota increased contact in Game 5, and officials upgraded Rudy Gobert’s closeout on a Wembanyama three to a Flagrant 1 for stepping into his landing space.
- Wembanyama responded with 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and three blocks in a 126-97 win that gave San Antonio a 3-2 lead with a chance to close in Game 6 in Minneapolis.
- The landing-space rule that led to Gobert’s Flagrant 1 traces to the 2017 Zaza Pachulia play on Kawhi Leonard, which pushed the NBA to penalize closeouts that threaten a shooter’s ankles.