Flagrants? Fatigue? Why Victor Wembanyama's physicality issue looms large over NBA Finals

In Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals, San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama received a Flagrant 1 penalty after his right elbow struck New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns on the chin during a swim move at the 9:27 mark of the third quarter. The foul awarded Towns two free throws and possession, and critically pushed Wembanyama closer to an automatic suspension due to accumulated flagrant-foul points. As the series heads into Game 5, the central question is whether Wembanyama can maintain his physical style of play without risking ejection or suspension.