Victor Wembanyama got into his first NBA "altercation" last night against the LA Clippers. The word gets quotations because guys don't really fight in the league. The punishments levied by the league office after the Malice in the Palace eradicated 98% of any potential fight on the basketball court. Nobody wants to get fined or suspended into oblivion, but it's still a feisty game.
The Clippers game was extra chippy, and it's hard to put a finger on exactly why that is, but that's not the focus here. What last night's game did was elevate a growing concern Spurs fans have felt all season: the refs aren't giving the Silver and Black—especially Wembanyama—a fair whistle. This was only the most recent example, and Wemby was finally asked about it.
“It’s frustrating. It’s not my job to do politics.”
— Casey Viera (@Casey_Viera) January 30, 2025
Victor Wembanyama talks the unfair officiating he feels he’s receiving this season following the Spurs’ loss to the Clippers. pic.twitter.com/7eYqKwmLp3
Wembanyama has a habit of being right
For years, the league was criticized for being too soft. Whistles were blown at a ridiculous rate, and touch fouls were called at the worst times. Well, now they've tried to course correct. Adam Silver has been vocal about the memo to refs to call fewer fouls and allow more physicality. The idea of that memo is great, but the practice hasn't had the desired effect.
Now that the officials are more selective with the calls, they're unfairly distributing them. San Antonio is 29th in the league in personal fouls drawn despite only being 15th in total 3-point attempts. It's not like they're only jacking up 3s all game. They do attack the paint, but they're seldom rewarded for their aggression.
That's especially egregious considering how physical teams are with San Antonio and Wembanyama, in particular. Because of his size, they feel that their only recourse is to push him around and swipe at him nonstop, and it's almost as if the refs agree.
Last night, he was slapped, pushed, and nearly assaulted, but it was only a touch elevated from any other night. Analysts often wonder why the Alien spends so much time on the perimeter but should look no further than the four free throws he gets to shoot per game. That's 67th out of all starters across the league.
Unfortunately, this is par for the course when you're a freakishly sized human playing basketball in the league. Shaq was famously fouled constantly. He was a massive man, and the officials didn't know how to referee someone with such size and power. He threw it around, and he got it back, making his games a physical spectacle of fouls left and right.
The same goes for LeBron James, who may not be the tallest player we've ever seen, but his combination of size, power, and speed also made him difficult to officiate. He still gets hammered in the paint without getting what should be an obvious call.
"It doesn't feel like it's something I should influence. I'm a basketball player. I'm here to play. This is why it's frustrating; it's not my job to do politics." - Victor Wembanyama
These guys try to play the game the right way and impose their will with their skills and measurables, and they're almost penalized for their greatness when the refs let players beat up on the greats. It doesn't help that Wembanyama is so slight, but that's not his fault. The onus is on the refs to protect the players and do it with some semblance of consistency.
We watched Zubac shove Wemby to the ground without getting a foul called on him. Mitch Johnson just about lost his mind, and he's normally mild-mannered, showing just how frustrating and constant this issue has been. James Harden was then awarded free throws after being slightly grazed on a shot attempt. It's ridiculous, and the star sophomore is more than justified in his frustration.