NBA keeps Wembanyama unpunished after pushing Brunson
The NBA decided not to issue a retroactive flagrant foul to San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama for a play that occurred in Game 3 of the league finals. The information was released by several North American press outlets on Tuesday night (9).
The move took place in the first quarter of the Spurs' 115-111 victory over the New York Knicks, on Monday (8). Wembanyama pushed guard Jalen Brunson during a position dispute.
Subsequently, the NBA itself acknowledged that the referee failed to call a foul on the play, but chose not to review the play to apply a level 1 flagrant foul to the Frenchman.
As no infraction was reported at the time of the incident, the match continued normally with possession of the ball for San Antonio.
Video review showed that Brunson, who was on defense and trying to get past a block, made the first contact by holding Wembanyama's shirt with his left hand. In response, the Spurs center pushed Brunson hard in the upper back and neck, causing the Knicks player to lose his balance and fall toward the ground.
According to NBA regulations, contact considered "unnecessary" may be classified as a level 1 flagrant foul, as it exceeds the standard for a common foul.
Even if Wembanyama had received a level 1 flagrant foul for the play, he would not have been suspended. However, he would enter Game 4 in a delicate situation regarding the league's disciplinary system.
The Frenchman has already accumulated two penalty points after receiving a Level 2 flagrant foul in Game 4 of the Western Conference semi-final against Naz Reid of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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In the NBA playoffs, each player can accumulate up to three penalty points before suffering an automatic sanction. A level 1 flagrant foul yields one point, while a level 2 flagrant foul yields two.
When reaching four points during the postseason, the athlete is automatically suspended for one game.
A level 2 flagrant foul is defined in the rulebook as "unnecessary and excessive or reckless" contact committed against an opponent and results in automatic expulsion.
Still in Monday's game, Brunson received a level 1 flagrant foul in the third quarter when he challenged Julian Champagnie's three-point shot. According to the referees, the point guard did not offer enough space for the Spurs player to land after the long-range attempt.
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Source: CNN