Victor Wembanyama will not be suspended for shoving Jalen Brunson during Game 3 of the San Antonio Spurs' 112-99 victory over the New York Knicks. The NBA ruled the play did not warrant a flagrant foul, keeping Wembanyama at two flagrant foul points for the season.
The incident occurred at the 4:44 mark of the first quarter. No foul was called on the play. According to NBA senior vice president of referee development and training Monty McCutchen, a foul should have been called on Wembanyama. “We believe a foul should have been called,” McCutchen said.
The Spurs have now won two of three games in the series, holding a 2-1 series lead over the Knicks. Wembanyama finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and five blocks in Game 3. Brunson responded with 22 points and eight assists but struggled with 11 turnovers.
Wembanyama entered the game with two flagrant foul points from earlier in the series. Players who reach four flagrant foul points in the playoffs are automatically suspended. That means Wembanyama can afford one more flagrant before facing a suspension.
The NBA’s flagrant foul system is designed to penalize unnecessary or excessive contact. Players can earn flagrant foul points for either flagrant type 1 (unsportsmanlike conduct) or flagrant type 2 (unnecessary contact). Wembanyama has been assessed two flagrant type 1 fouls so far.
This ruling will not impact Wembanyama’s availability for Game 4, which is set for Monday night. The Spurs are looking to take a 3-1 series lead and push the Knicks toward elimination. The Knicks are currently searching for their first road playoff win of the year.
The Spurs are averaging 119.3 points per game in the series, while the Knicks are scoring just 97.5. San Antonio’s defense has held New York to 38.5% shooting overall and 29.3% from three-point range.
Game 4 tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET from Madison Square Garden. The NBA will continue to monitor on-court conduct as the series moves toward a potential decisive Game 7.
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