Wednesday night’s matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Clippers had plenty of action, but one moment, in particular, had fans buzzing. As the game heated up, a dramatic sequence unfolded between Spurs' rising star Victor Wembanyama and Clippers' big man Ivica Zubac.
A Shove, A Three, and Some Tension
With both players sprinting toward the hoop, things got physical fast. Zubac gave Wembanyama a hard shove, sending the Spurs’ center flying straight into his own bench. To add to the chaos, Harrison Barnes drained a three-pointer for the Spurs at that exact moment, making the scene even more dramatic. It was a sequence that had the crowd on edge—Wembanyama crashing out of bounds, a perfect shot dropping through the net, and an instant reaction from the young star himself.
Wembanyama, clearly frustrated, didn’t hesitate to get back up and go after Zubac. The intensity was real—he looked ready to confront the Clippers’ center. But before things could escalate further, Spurs coaches and teammates quickly intervened, keeping the 7'4" phenom from making the situation worse. Surprisingly, no technical fouls were handed out, and the game continued without any major consequences.
Should Zubac Have Been Called for a Foul?
The play left many wondering: should Zubac have been whistled for at least a common foul? From the replay, it sure looked like a hip-check from behind, something that usually gets called. But in the NBA, it’s often a case of “no harm, no foul,” and the referees let this one slide. Whether it was intentional or just an aggressive play, Zubac got away without a whistle, much to the frustration of Spurs fans.
The Game Goes On
Despite the heated moment, the game moved forward, and both teams focused back on the scoreboard. Unfortunately for the Spurs, the Clippers had their number that night. L.A. secured a solid 128–116 victory, with Zubac putting on a monster performance—21 points and an incredible 22 rebounds, a true 20–20 game.
On the other side, Wembanyama put up a strong effort of his own. The young star finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks, proving once again why he’s one of the most exciting young talents in the league. While he didn’t get the revenge he may have wanted in that moment, he certainly made his presence felt on the court.
Wemby Wanted the Smoke
One thing was clear—Wembanyama wasn’t about to back down. The shove might have sent him flying, but it didn’t shake his confidence. His immediate reaction to chase down Zubac showed his competitive fire, and it’s safe to say fans can expect more of that intensity in the future. The NBA is a league where rookies have to earn respect, and Wemby seems more than ready to do just that.
In the end, nobody got hurt, and the moment was just another example of the kind of physicality and passion that makes the NBA so thrilling to watch. With Wembanyama’s talent and attitude, it’s only a matter of time before he’s the one delivering the big plays—and maybe even a little payback down the road.
Login