The NBA playoffs have a way of bringing out raw emotion, and the San Antonio Spurs' series-clinching Game 6 victory was no exception. What started as a comfortable 13-point halftime lead for the Spurs quickly ballooned to a 30-point blowout, but the final score isn't what has everyone talking. Instead, it's a controversial moment involving Anthony Edwards and Victor Wembanyama that has reignited a heated debate about how the league's reigning Defensive Player of the Year is being treated on the court.
With 10:58 remaining in the second quarter, the action was fast and furious. After a missed three-pointer by Julius Randle, De'Aaron Fox snatched the rebound and delivered a perfect pass to Wembanyama, who was sprinting down the court for a running dunk. Anthony Edwards, who was supposed to be guarding the Spurs' star, was caught lagging behind. As Wembanyama leaped into the air, Edwards attempted a two-handed shove to the French center's back, drawing an immediate foul from the officials. Wembanyama calmly completed the three-point play from the free-throw line, extending San Antonio's lead to 41-27—their largest of the game at that point.
The play didn't go unnoticed by the basketball community. The popular BBall Breakdown page on X (formerly Twitter) called out Edwards for what they deemed a "dangerous" move, posting: "I don't think what Edwards did here was okay. You really can't two-hand shove a guy in the back as he's getting into the air; it's simply dangerous. And it was weird that he'd argue the call." With over 150,000 followers, the account is known for its sharp basketball analysis, and the post quickly sparked a firestorm in the comments.
While some fans defended Edwards, arguing the contact was minimal, the BBALLBREAKDOWN account fired back with a pointed response: "Do yourself a favor and sprint as fast as you can, then jump in the air and have someone push you in the back the moment you leave the floor. I'll wait." The logic is hard to argue—when a player is airborne, any push from behind can lead to a dangerous, awkward landing. Fortunately, Wembanyama managed to land on his feet this time, though he lost his balance and sat on the floor in disbelief.
This incident is just the latest chapter in a growing narrative around Wembanyama's treatment this series. Since his ejection in Game 4, the 7-foot-4 phenom has been on the receiving end of numerous hard fouls, which he has described as "rage baiting" moves. In the first quarter alone, Julius Randle shoved Wembanyama while grabbing a rebound, sending the star crashing onto his stomach. As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the league's brightest young star is becoming a target, and fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see how officials will respond.
