What caused Victor Wembanyama to lose his cool during his playoff masterclass originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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San Antonio leads Minnesota as the series becomes more physical. Team owners have asked for more guards at the arena to handle the rowdy crowds. Amidst all the turmoil, Victor Wembanyama lost his composure in a way that changed the flow of the game for his team.
Wembanyama’s frustration boiled over during Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals on May 8 after Anthony Edwards allegedly held his jersey to prevent a transition play following a blocked shot. The “no-call” sparked a furious reaction from Wembanyama, who confronted veteran official Tony Brothers on the court.
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 115–108, taking a 2–1 lead in the second-round series. The game was marked by high tension and physical play.
Despite the officiating drama, Wembanyama delivered a career playoff masterpiece with 39 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocks.
Fans and analysts blasted the referees for “dreadful” officiating, specifically citing Edwards’ jersey-grabbing move and a missed “two-arm bar” against Spurs guard Stephon Castle.
The lack of control by officials contributed to a third-quarter skirmish where Jaden McDaniels and Stephon Castle were both assessed technical fouls after a shoving match.
Officiating has been a major theme in the series; Timberwolves coach Chris Finch previously criticized the refs in Game 1 for missing four goaltending violations by Wembanyama during his record-setting 12-block performance.
Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Edwards have been trading big plays all series
Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Edwards have played hard against each other. In the first game, the Timberwolves won a close match 104-102. Wembanyama had 11 points and 12 blocks while Edwards scored 18 points.
The second game was a very big win for the Spurs. They beat the Timberwolves 133-95. Wembanyama finished with 14 points and 3 blocks. Edwards played limited minutes because the game was a blowout.
In the third game, the Spurs won 115-108. Wembanyama was great, scoring 39 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. Edwards also played well for his team, scoring 32 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.
The next game is scheduled for Sunday, May 10, 2026. Fans can watch it at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be shown on NBC and Peacock.
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