NBA Finals: Mitchell Robinson called for flagrant after drilling Victor Wembanyama in the neck early in Game 4

Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul in the first quarter of Game 4 of the NBA Finals after delivering a hard forearm to Victor Wembanyama’s neck during play at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. The call came after a review of the play, where Robinson’s elbow made contact with Wembanyama’s neck, sending him to the ground. Wembanyama had earlier taunted Robinson by clapping after a layup over him in the same quarter. The incident follows a similar controversy in Game 3, where Wembanyama’s shot to Jalen Brunson’s head was initially missed by officials, though the NBA later admitted the foul should have been called. The San Antonio Spurs dominated the first half, leading by 27 points at halftime—a road team record in NBA Finals history, excluding the 2020 bubble series. They shot 65% from the field in the opening quarter and set a Finals record with 14 three-pointers in the half. The Spurs’ strong start came despite the flagrant call against Robinson, who has been a defensive presence for the Knicks. Wembanyama converted both free throws after the foul, and play resumed without further delays. The Spurs entered the game with momentum after winning Game 3, their first victory of the series. The NBA has faced criticism for missed calls in the Finals, including the earlier Brunson incident, which the league later acknowledged should have been flagged.