Wembanyama’s Game 5 revenge test vs. Wolves

Victor Wembanyama was ejected in Game 4, and San Antonio now waits to see whether his response in Game 5 shifts the series.

Victor Wembanyama’s Game 4 ejection against the Minnesota Timberwolves set up the biggest question of the Spurs’ playoff run: what comes next in San Antonio on May 12, 2026? The 22-year-old star was tossed after a Flagrant 2, and the series heads home tied 2-2 with Game 5 looming at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

What changed

Sunday’s Game 4 turned from a physical playoff grind into a flashpoint when Minnesota’s pressure finally got to Wembanyama. Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid crowded him, Wembanyama threw an elbow into Reid’s throat, and the officials issued a Flagrant 2. The league said he will not face extra punishment.

The ejection did not end San Antonio’s fight. The Spurs nearly stole the game anyway, which is why the series is still tied and why Game 5 now feels like a referendum on how Wembanyama answers contact, noise and frustration. Zach Harper frames it as a possible revenge game, and the numbers support the tension.

• Wembanyama is hitting 62.3% of his 2-point attempts in the playoffs.
• That mark rises to 64.7% against Minnesota.
• San Antonio is scoring 21.7 fast-break points per game in the series.
• The Spurs are allowing just 96.0 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor.

There is also recent history here. Wembanyama just posted 39 points on 13-of-18 shooting in Game 3, including 16 in the fourth quarter, a line that drew comparisons to Hakeem Olajuwon. He also said, after celebrating his first playoff series win over Portland, “I refuse to carry the burden of hiding my emotions.”

Why it matters

For the Spurs, this is no longer just about whether Wembanyama can dominate a series. It is about whether Minnesota’s physical style can pull him out of his rhythm, force mistakes and slow San Antonio’s transition game. If the Wolves keep the game in the half court, they can reduce the damage.

For Minnesota, the adjustment is simple: take away easy outlets and make somebody else beat them. The Spurs’ best answer is to trap Anthony Edwards, deny him the ball back and keep Wembanyama involved as the engine. That tactical tug-of-war is what makes Game 5 more than a highlight watch.

Wembanyama is still only in his third season, but the playoffs are already testing how quickly he can turn irritation into control. If he answers Game 4 with a statement game, the Spurs’ series could tilt fast. If not, Minnesota’s physical bet may keep paying off.

Game 5 is now the real question: does Wemby respond like a star, or like a star with a score to settle?