Wembanyama avoids flagrant foul upgrade after contact with Brunson

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama avoided a third flagrant foul point in the postseason. NBA rules call for an automatic suspension at four points.

Wembanyama made contact with New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson’s upper body as Brunson set a screen in the first quarter of Game 3 on Monday. When Wembanyama turned, he pushed Brunson, who fell to the floor. Officials did not call a foul.

ESPN reported Tuesday that Wembanyama would not receive a retroactive flagrant foul on the play. The Knicks bench protested the non-call.

President Donald Trump, who attended the game, said he thought it was a bad call. "I thought it was a very bad call. Absolutely," Trump told the New York Post on Wednesday. "But I’m not the ref, you know?"

Trump watched from a suite with his granddaughter Kai Trump and sat next to Knicks owner James Dolan. He became the first sitting U.S. president to attend an NBA Finals game.

The Spurs beat the Knicks 115-111, cutting New York’s series lead to 2-1. Trump also praised several players. "That Brunson is some player," he said. "I think Brunson is amazing, Castle is amazing, Wemby is amazing, Towns is amazing."

Taylor Swift headlined the celebrity row at Madison Square Garden for Game 4 on Wednesday. The Spurs opened with a 41-22 lead after the first quarter, led by Wembanyama’s 13 points.