San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is being accused of encouraging poor sportsmanship in the Western Conference Finals.
Once the Oklahoma City Thunder created enough breathing room in Game 5, Wembanyama and the rest of San Antonio's starters were sent to the bench. NBC's camera crew caught the French superstar whispering something to Mason Plumlee and Bismack Biyombo as he was walking off the court.
Though it could've been a coincidence, both Biyombo and Plumlee committed hard fouls on Thunder guard Jared McCain. In fact, the latter's foul was upgraded to a Flagrant 1 this Wednesday.
© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Some fans are convinced Wembanyama was telling his teammates to send a message in the closing minutes of Game 5.
"I'm not sure that Biyombo was doing anything, but 100% yes Plumlee did," one fan said. "Yes, the league should investigate this. No they won't and even if they found something - nothing happens. No more than with the elbow in a throat."
"Absolutely disgusting and the NBA has to look into it," a Thunder fan declared.
"I don't know ...maybe Wemby outta worry about playing closer to the basket or making more shots before we start whispering to henchmen to deliver messages," another fan wrote.
NBA has already disciplined Wembanyama this postseason.
During the second round of this year's NBA playoffs, Wembanyama was ejected in Game 4 for throwing an elbow at Minnesota Timberwolves forward Naz Reid.
Wembanyama was also issued a warning for violating media access rules this Tuesday. He declined to speak with reporters after the loss to OKC.
It'll be interesting to see how Wembanyama conducts himself on and off the court this Thursday for Game 6.
