“I feel like the rage baiting would have been maybe one of their strategies.”
Wemby on the Timberwolves trying to get under his skin 😂
Getty
Kendrick Perkins addresses Victor Wembanyama ejection and possible suspension
The San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves have been at it like rivals throughout the series. After one of the most physically demanding stretches of Victor Wembanyama’s young career, things got a bit out of hand in Game 4.
So, as the Spurs hold a 3-2 series lead and await Game 6, Wemby is pointing out precisely the strategy that Minnesota was using against him.
In a post-game interview shared by NBA on ESPN’s X account, Wembanyama was asked about a moment in Game 5 where Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu approached him early in the game and appeared to talk trash. Wemby just laughed it off. When asked what that was about after the win, he was straightforward.
“I feel like the rage baiting would have been maybe one of their strategies. So I feel like I need to stay composed as a team.”
“I feel like the rage baiting would have been maybe one of their strategies.”
Wemby on the Timberwolves trying to get under his skin 😂
The Timberwolves seemed to have a clear physical game plan from the last few games: bang Wembanyama, grab him, make every trip to the paint a fight. In game 3, he still posted 39 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks that night.
Then came Game 4. With Jaden McDaniels hanging off his left arm and the Wolves swarming him in a double-team, Wembanyama snapped. He swung his right elbow and caught Naz Reid on the jaw and neck area.
Officials reviewed it and called a Flagrant 2, which is an automatic ejection. It was the first ejection of his career, and he did not even know what it meant. The Spurs lost that game 114-109, and Minnesota leveled the series at 2-2.
GettySpurs’ Victor Wembanyama Responds Strongly to Timberwolves’ Physical Tactics
Wembanyama answered all of it in Game 5. He put up 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks in a 126-97 blowout.
Wemby became the third-youngest player ever to post 25 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists in a playoff game, behind only Magic Johnson and Luka Doncic.
He handles it on the scoreboard. Coach Mitch Johnson had called the physicality directed at Wembanyama “disgusting” after Game 4. On this night, his star did not need protecting.
GettyVictor Wembanyama Fires Back After Timberwolves’ Heated Playoff Tactics
Now San Antonio leads the series 3-2 and has an opportunity to seal the deal in Game 6, which will take place on May 15 in Minnesota. If they manage to win this one, they will advance to the Western Conference Finals where they will meet the Oklahoma City Thunder, the defending champions who not only swept the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round but also remain unbeaten in the 2026 playoffs with an 8-0 record.
Such a game shouldn’t frighten the Spurs, at least according to the way things unfolded between these two teams this season. San Antonio during the 2025-26 regular season beat Oklahoma City 4-1, thereby registering the best head-to-head record any team had against the Thunder all year.
For Wemby, having a psychological advantage is as important as being physically capable. He realizes that opponents will continually challenge him.
Jayesh Pagar Jayesh Pagar is a writer at Heavy Sports, covering the New York Knicks and other NBA teams. He brings four years of experience across digital sports media, including NBA, WNBA, college basketball, and college football. He covered as the Knicks beat writer for ONSI and has written for PFSN, Sporting News, and ClutchPoints. More about Jayesh Pagar
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