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Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid

The Minnesota Timberwolves evened their Western Conference semifinal series against the San Antonio Spurs with a 114-109 win in Game 4 on Sunday night, but much of the attention after the game centered around Victor Wembanyama’s Flagrant 2 ejection and Naz Reid’s response afterward.

Wembanyama was ejected early in the second quarter after officials reviewed a play involving Reid and upgraded an offensive foul to a Flagrant 2 for excessive contact above the neck. The Spurs star swung his elbow while fighting through contact from Reid and Jaden McDaniels during a rebound battle.

The moment immediately shifted momentum in a series now tied 2-2 heading back to San Antonio for Game 5. After the game, Reid was asked about taking the elbow from Wembanyama and delivered a short response that quickly drew attention.

Naz Reid Responds After Victor Wembanyama’s Elbow in Game 4

When asked how much the elbow hurt and whether he had experienced a hit like that before, Reid stayed calm and repeated one of his favorite playoff sayings.

“Pain is weakness leaving the body. That’s it,” Reid said postgame.

The six-word response came shortly after Reid absorbed the elbow to the throat area during the second quarter.

Officials initially called an offensive foul on Wembanyama before reviewing the play for several minutes. Fans at Target Center chanted “Kick him out!” during the review before referees announced the Flagrant 2 decision.

The automatic ejection marked the first ejection of Wembanyama’s NBA career.

Reid remained in the game and finished with 15 points, nine rebounds, and four assists in 31 minutes off the bench. He also continued playing, only to later deal with an ankle injury in the second half.

The Timberwolves have leaned heavily on Reid’s physical play throughout the series against the Spurs frontcourt led by Wembanyama.

Minnesota’s combination of Reid, Julius Randle, and Jaden McDaniels has consistently pressured the Spurs star physically during possessions around the basket and on the perimeter.

Before his ejection, Wembanyama had four points, four rebounds, and three fouls in 13 minutes.

Anthony Edwards Helps Minnesota Timberwolves Tie Series 2-2

With Wembanyama off the floor, Anthony Edwards helped Minnesota close out the win and even the series.

Edwards finished with 36 points as the Timberwolves capitalized on San Antonio’s loss of rim protection and interior defense after the ejection.

After the game, Edwards said the Spurs became more difficult to defend without Wembanyama because the offense changed.

“I think it was kind of harder,” Edwards said during the postgame press conference. “They play a lot slower when he’s on the floor because everything revolves around him.”

Edwards explained that San Antonio’s role players became more aggressive offensively after Wembanyama left the game.

“When he’s not on the floor, everybody is playing,” Edwards said. “Everybody plays free, they get more shots, more confident.”

Despite that adjustment, Minnesota controlled key stretches late in the game to secure the victory.

The Spurs now wait to learn whether the NBA will issue any additional discipline before Game 5. According to reports shared after the game, San Antonio does not expect Wembanyama to receive a suspension.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson defended his star player after the loss.

“At some stage, he should be protected,” Johnson said after the game while discussing the physical nature of the series. “If not, he’s going to have to protect himself.”

Johnson also said he believed there was “zero intent” behind the play and called the idea of a suspension “ridiculous.”

Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday night in San Antonio with the series tied at two games apiece.