Overview
- In the third quarter of Game 5 on Sunday, Jalen Brunson landed on Victor Wembanyama’s foot after a contested 3‑point try and referees did not call a foul on the floor.
- Knicks coaches, the ESPN broadcast team and commentators such as Bill Simmons publicly called the non‑call egregious and fans posted accusations that officials were protecting Wembanyama.
- NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the league office will review the sequence and that an upgraded retroactive flagrant could carry an automatic one‑game suspension for Game 6.
- Wembanyama already carried postseason flagrant foul points from earlier incidents, so another upgraded flagrant would raise the real risk he could miss time if the series continues.
- The dispute highlights the landing‑space rule created after Kawhi Leonard’s ankle injury and could shift the Finals’ balance because New York is close to clinching and San Antonio is trying to extend the series.