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San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama avoided adding a third flagrant point to his postseason total. Under NBA policy, players are automatically subject to suspension when they receive four flagrant foul points.
Wembanyama made contact with Jalen Brunson’s upper body as the New York Knicks guard attempted to set a screen in the first quarter of Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday. When the Spurs center turned during the play, he shoved Brunson, who fell backwards to the floor.
The referees did not call for a foul on the play, despite strong objections from the Knicks bench. ESPN reported Tuesday, citing sources, that Wembanyama would not be retroactively assessed as a “flagrant upgrade on the uncalled foul.”
The play sparked debate across the sports world, and President Donald Trump, who attended Monday’s game, was among those who weighed in.
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President Donald Trump watches the start of Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 8, 2026. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
“I thought it was a very bad call. Absolutely. I thought it was a very bad call personally. But I’m not the judge, you know?” Trump told the New York Post on Wednesday.
Trump watched the Knicks’ first NBA Finals game in 27 years from a suite with his grandson Kai Trump and was seen next to team owner James Dolan. Trump became the first sitting US president to attend an NBA Finals game.
VICTOR WEMBANYAMA PLACES JALEN BRUNSON’S HEAD, PUSHES HIM DOWN AS REFERS LOOK THE OTHER WAY IN GAME 3
The Spurs outlasted New York 115-111 in Game 3, trimming the Knicks’ lead to 2-1 heading into Wednesday’s Game 4.
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks drives against Dylan Harper and Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs in the third quarter of Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 8, 2026 in New York City. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
“Look, they’re pretty evenly matched, right? They’re two great teams. I’ll tell you, Brunson is some player,” Trump added. “I think Brunson is great, [Stephon] Castle [of the Spurs] is great, Wemby is great, [Karl-Anthony] Cities [of the Knicks] is fantastic. They are like big players. That’s what they’re there for, right?”
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson reacts as San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama looks on during the second quarter of Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 8, 2026 in New York. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)
A native of New York, Trump regularly sat next to other celebrities over the years before entering politics. “If you grow up in New York, you’re a Knick fan,” he noted.
Taylor Swift, who is engaged to NFL star Travis Kelce, headlined Wednesday’s star-studded celebrity lineup at Madison Square Garden.
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The Spurs came out hot for the second game in a row on Wednesday, racing to a 41-22 lead at the end of the first quarter. Wembanyama paced San Antonio with 13 points in the opening period, while OG Anunoby led New York with seven.
