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San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama avoided adding a blatant third point to his postseason total. Under NBA policy, players are automatically subject to suspension once they receive four flagrant fouls.
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 pushed Brunson, who fell backwards to the ground.
The referees did not call a foul on the play, despite strong objections from the Knicks bench. ESPN reported Tuesday, citing sources, that Wembanyama would not be retroactively evaluated as a “blatant improvement for 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 decision. Absolutely. I personally thought it was a very bad decision. But I’m not the referee, 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 granddaughter Kai Trump and was seen sitting next to team owner James Dolan. Trump became the first sitting American president to attend an NBA Finals game.
VICTOR WEMBANYAMA PLACES HAND ON JALEN BRUNSON’S HEAD, PUSHING HIM DOWN WHILE REFS LOOKED AWAY IN GAME 3
The Spurs outscored New York 115-111 in Game 3, cutting the Knicks’ series lead to 2-1 heading into Game 4 on Wednesday.
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks works against Dylan Harper and Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter of game three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 8, 2026. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
“Look, they’re pretty even, right? They’re two great teams. I’ll tell you, Brunson is a great player,” Trump added. “I think Brunson is amazing, [Stephon] Castle [of the Spurs] It’s amazing, Wemby is amazing, [Karl-Anthony] Towns [of the Knicks] It’s amazing. They are like great players. That’s why they’re there, 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 in New York on June 8, 2026. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)
Originally from New York, Trump regularly sat courtside alongside other celebrities in the years before entering politics. “If you grow up in New York, you’re a Knick fan,” he said.
Taylor Swift, who is engaged to NFL star Travis Kelce, headlined Wednesday’s star-studded celebrity fight at Madison Square Garden.
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The Spurs came out hot for the second straight game on Wednesday, taking a 41-22 lead late in the first quarter. Wembanyama led San Antonio with 13 points in the first period, while OG Anunoby led New York with seven.
