Will Victor Wembanyama Get Flagrant Foul for Shoving Jalen Brunson? NBA Official Addresses Missed Call
The NBA admitted on Tuesday that the referees for Game 3 between the Knicks and Spurs should have called a foul on Victor Wembanyama's shove of Jalen Brunson in the first quarter.
NBA head of officiating Monty McCutchen joined ESPN and acknowledged that the game's referees missed Wembanyama's foul on Brunson. McCutchen said the league's review is still ongoing, and it remains to be determined whether the Spurs star will receive a retroactive flagrant foul.
During the play in question, Wembanyama and Brunson were jostling for position at the top of the key on a Knicks possession in the first quarter of Game 3. Wembanyama used his left arm to shove Brunson, who appeared to be holding part of Wembanyama's jersey, in the back of his neck, causing the Knicks guard to fall on the court.
Brunson then got up and tried to confront Wembanyama, who had already turned his focus to the next play.
Here's a video of the scuffle:
Brunson frustrated at Wemby pic.twitter.com/0xd2HO78NV
- ESPN (@espn) June 9, 2026
If Wemby is assessed a flagrant foul retroactively, he would be on the cusp of a one-game suspension, per the NBA's playoff rules. Earlier in the postseason, the Spurs big man was ejected from Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals series against the Timberwolves and received two flagrant foul points as a result. If he exceeds three points in a single playoff run, he would be automatically suspended for a game.
A flagrant one is worth one point, so if the league does decide to hand down a retroactive punishment Wembanyama would be at three points in total.
In a postgame presser, Brunson was curt about his physical altercation with Wembanyama. "Whatever you saw is what you saw," Brunson told reporters.
The Spurs snatched Game 3 of the NBA Finals in a thrilling 115–111 victory at Madison Square Garden, albeit the win wasn't without controversy. The Knicks currently lead the series 2–1, with Game 4 set for Wednesday night in New York.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Will Victor Wembanyama Get Flagrant Foul for Shoving Jalen Brunson? NBA Official Addresses Missed Call.
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This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 3:09 PM.