Knicks fans are learning what Timberwolves already knew about Wembanyama

Remember when Victor Wembanyama elbowed Naz Reid in the neck, and Spurs fans insisted that it was merely an accident? The rest of the league might've given him the benefit of the doubt. After seeing what he has gotten away with in the NBA Finals, Knicks fans are realizing what Minnesota Timberwolves fans already knew: he's well aware of what he's doing.

Wembanyama grabbed Jalen Brunson by the neck in Game 3 on Monday and forcefully shoved him to the ground. The point guard got up and immediately walked up to Wemby, who laughed him off. No surprise that the referees missed it because a flagrant 2 would've resulted in another ejection.

That's not all, though. In Game 2, Wemby didn't like Jose Alvarado boxing him out, so he took it upon himself to wrap his arms around the guard's neck and throw him to the side. After doing that, he looked to the referees as if they were supposed to call a foul on Alvarado. Once again, there was no whistle.

You know Knicks fans had a lot to say about it.

Wembanyama is doing what Timberwolves already saw in the playoffs

At least he was ejected for his elbow to Reid, but he wasn't suspended for it (nor was he fined a minimum of $2,000 as league rules state), though he did, of course, miss most of the game because of the timing. The NBA has a point system for players regarding flagrant fouls in the playoffs, and a total of four points warrants an ejection. A flagrant two is equal to two, so Wemby is two away (or another flagrant two) from a suspension.

The league could issue Wembanyama a retroactive flagrant foul for what he did to Brunson in Game 3. If it were a flagrant two, he would face a suspension. You know the league doesn't want that, though at the same time, it's hard not to argue it was anything other than a flagrant two.

It's not abnormal for stars to get away with more in terms of contact, but Wembanyama crossed that line a couple of rounds ago. He let his anger get the best of him, and there are times when that happens, especially in the playoffs, but it wasn't a one-off thing. Just ask the Knicks.

He's established a pattern. Physicality is part of basketball, especially in the playoffs, but he's taken things to a completely new level. If the league lets his actions continue to go unchecked for the most part, Wemby will truly turn into a monster, just not the kind that he already is, because he stands seven-foot-four.

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