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The NBA's decision about Victor Wembanyama's punishment shows how hypocritical the league is
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- The NBA's decision about Victor Wembanyama's punishment shows how hypocritical the league is
San Antonio Spurs fans spent the last 24 hours holding their collective breath, waiting for the hammer to drop on Victor Wembanyama . The 22-year-old sensation was tossed from Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves after just 12 minutes of action following a vicious elbow to the neck of Naz Reid .
While the blow was clearly a product of frustration — the result of Minnesota's bruising, physical defensive scheme — the young star's inability to keep his cool left his team undermanned and ultimately doomed to a 114-109 loss.
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However, when Shams Charania broke the news that the league would not issue a suspension or even a fine for Game 5, the relief in San Antonio was met with a wave of "hypocrisy" claims from across the basketball world. The league's decision to protect its future face hasn't sat well with critics who see a clear double standard at play.
ESPN's Kendrick Perkins was among the first to slam the decision, accusing the league of prioritizing business over player safety .
"Did the NBA get it right in my opinion? No, because you prioritized superstardom and views over someone's health," Perkins stated on "First Take". "He looked Naz Reid in the eye and lined him up and hit him with a vicious elbow that could've caused serious injuries."
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Wemby dodged a bullet
The optics are undeniable.
A potential Western Conference finals matchup between the Spurs and the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder is the league's ultimate "ratings dream". An MVP-caliber duel between Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would likely shatter viewership records, a reality that would be jeopardized if Wembanyama were forced to miss time in a series currently deadlocked at 2-2.
The lack of discipline is even more jarring when compared to past precedents, where players with less "commercial gravity" were hit hard for similar actions.
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In April 2012, Metta Sandiford- Artest savagely elbowed James Harden in the head. Harden, then with the Oklahoma City Thunder, suffered a concussion and the league hammered Artest with a seven-game suspension.
In a more recent incident from April 2026, Jusuf Nurkic entered a physical altercation with Naji Marshall . After an offensive foul, Nurkic swung and caught Marshall in the head with an elbow. Following a league review, the Bosnian big man was hit with a three-game suspension without pay, costing him approximately $375,000.
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Then there is Draymond Green , a renowned NBA champion who has been suspended multiple times, even during the playoffs. His history includes the infamous run-ins with LeBron James and Domantas Sabonis and he once racked up 17 games of suspension in a single season for physical altercations with opponents.
These are just a few examples of players with less "commercial gravity" being automatically punished, while Wemby sidestepped the scandal to focus on tonight's Game 5.
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Those moves have no place on the basketball court
The 2026 DPOY has been a model of professionalism thus far, often praised for his "old school" approach and dedication to working with legends of the game.
This was his first major flashpoint, but many argue that if the league were consistent, he would be watching from the sidelines. Instead, his absence would have jeopardized the Spurs' progress and the league's viewership plans.
The decision is final and the conversation will likely fade as the series continues, but it hasn't stopped the call for the NBA to clearly define its rules for such incidents. Reid was lucky the elbow didn't cause lasting damage, but regardless of a player's resume, those moves have no place on the basketball court.
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So, the next time you hear the league talking about "prioritizing" players' health, it's really a lie. This decision really shows how hypocritical the NBA is and that there is a double standard for superstars and everyone else.
Related: Kendrick Perkins slams NBA for not suspending Victor Wembanyama: "Views over health"
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
