Victor Wembanyama Draws Strong Criticism for Game 3 Shove on Jalen Brunson

Tensions flared early in Game 3 between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden, with big man Victor Wembanyama under scrutiny for a missed call by the officials.

The controversial moment occurred in the first quarter of Monday night’s game. With under five minutes remaining, Knicks guard Jalen Brunson was wrapped up with Wemby, and a push ensued.

During a replay review of what occurred, ABC and ESPN commentator Richard Jefferson was surprised at what he saw, as Wemby shoved Brunson down by the back of his head or neck.

In the footage, Brunson immediately takes exception to Wemby’s physicality, and Jefferson claimed the referees should’ve called a flagrant foul on the play.

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At the time of the shoving incident, the Spurs led 24-13 after getting off to another hot start early. However, things began to draw even as the Knicks fought back in the second quarter, making it just a two-point game, and even briefly taking the lead.

As one would imagine, there were a variety of reactions to seeing the 22-year-old Frenchman with such a hard shove on the Knicks’ two-time All-Star.

“Wemby is such a dirty player. Of course they don’t call it either,” one commenter wrote in reacting to the video clip.

“Wemby wtf is wrong with you bro. This like the 10th time this playoffs now,” a commenter said.

Another individual commented, “this easily should’ve been a flagrant what the hell.”

Other X commenters wrote, “How in the world do they not see his dirty play,” and “Dirtiest player in the league.”

In the Spurs’ series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Wembanyama delivered a brutal elbow to the neck region of Naz Reid, leading to Wemby’s ejection from the game. It was the first career ejection in Wemby’s three seasons, but the league determined he wouldn’t get a fine or suspension during the postseason.

Whether he’s a dirty player or not is up for debate, as the stakes are higher now, and both NBA Finals teams have been physical with one another during the series.

Brunson and the Knicks may have become fired up after that uncalled shove from Wemby and a later hard foul from Stephon Castle that sent Brunson to the floor. The Knicks went into halftime after building a 64-57 lead in a crucial Game 3 for the Spurs.

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This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 9:12 PM.