Victor Wembanyama will be allowed to play in Game 5 of the Spurs vs. Timberwolves series. Wemby’s status for Game 5 had been in doubt as he faced possible suspension for the elbow he threw at Naz Reid in Game 4.
Some talking heads—including ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins—viewed Wemby’s actions in Game 4 as egregious enough to warrant a suspension.
“It’s gonna be a horrible look on Adam Silver and the NBA if they allow [Wembanyama] to get away with this without suspending him for Game 5,” Perkins said on ESPN’s First Take Monday morning. “He looked at Naz Reid in the eye and lined him up and hit him with a vicious elbow that could’ve done serious damage to that man. And if they don’t suspend him, it’s gonna tell a lot of fans what the NBA is about. Because it can’t be about protecting players. It’s gonna be about money, views, and stardom. And if you do that you’re sending a horrible message.”
Wembanyama was ejected in the second quarter of Game 4, a 114-109 Timberwolves win, for elbowing Reid on the right side of his jaw and neck area. The play was initially ruled only an offensive foul, but after video review it was upgraded to a flagrant foul 2, which results in an automatic ejection.
Timberwolves vs. Spurs odds
With Wembanyama set to play in Game 5, the Spurs are heavy -10.5 favorites. San Antonio is 2-2-0 against the spread so far this series.
The Spurs lost Game 1 by 2 points, won Game 2 by 38, won Game 3 by 7, and lost Game 4 by 5.
Mitch Johnson’s squad had the third-best against the spread mark in the NBA in the regular season as the Spurs went 46-34-2 ATS. The Timberwolves went 36-46-0 ATS in the regular season and are 6-4-0 ATS in the postseason.
The total for Wolves - Spurs Game 5 is 218.5.
Here are the final scores for each game in the series thus far:
- Game 1: Wolves 104, Spurs 102 (206 combined)
- Game 2: Spurs 133, Wolves 95 (228 combined)
- Game 3: Spurs 115, Wolves 108 (223 combined)
- Game 4: Wolves 114, Spurs 109 (223 combined)
Four Spurs games have gone Over the number so far in the playoffs, while five games have gone Under.
As for the T’Wolves in the postseason so far, four games have gone Over and six have gone Under.
Wemby player props
Wemby’s points O/U for Game 5 at Fanatics Sportsbook is currently 27.5. The Spurs’ superstar scored 11 points in 40 minutes in Game 1, posted 19 points in 26 minutes in Game 2, pumped in 39 points in 37 minutes in Game 3, and had 4 points in 12 minutes in Game 4.
Wemby is -115 to record 4+ blocks in Game 5. He had an unreal 12 blocks in Game 1 of the series versus the Wolves, 2 blocks in Game 2, 5 blocks in Game 3 and zero on Sunday night.
