Victor Wembanyama’s defensive masterpiece leaves one rival questioning everything

Victor Wembanyama delivered a magnificent Game 1 performance for the San Antonio Spurs in their second-round matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but his standout effort ultimately came in a narrow 104-102 loss to the  Timberwolves.

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Following the game, Timberwolves star Rudy Gobert couldn’t resist a lighthearted dig when asked about Wembanyama’s shot-blocking display.

«He fouled me on the first one,” the four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year said in his post-game interview. “But if you look at them, probably three or four. I wish I had that type of treatment too.»

Rudy Gobert when asked how many of Victor Wembanyama’s 12 blocks were goaltends.

«He fouled me on the first one. But if you look at them, probably three or four. I wish I had that type of treatment too.» https://t.co/UFdikHniPn pic.twitter.com/6R0nmKhxSg

— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) May 5, 2026

In the loss to the Timberwolves, Wembanyama made history by recording 12 blocks, breaking the previous play-by-play era record of 10, which had been shared by Mark Eaton, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Andrew Bynum. However, Minnesota found a way to pull out the win due to a strong return from Anthony Edwards and a late-game push that erased San Antonio’s lead.

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However, even Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch questioned the officiating, estimating that at least four or possibly five of Wembanyama’s blocks should have been ruled goaltending. According to NBA rules, touching the ball after it hits the backboard while on its upward or downward path automatically counts as goaltending.

Wembanyama’s length and timing make these plays especially difficult to judge. He often reaches the ball at the precise instant it approaches the glass, which ultimately leaves referees with almost no time to determine whether the block is clean or illegal. 

Meanwhile, Finch thinks it is concerning that none were called, especially given Wembanyama’s 7-foot-6 frame and aggressive shot-blocking style. The Timberwolves head coach thinks it increases the likelihood of borderline goaltending situations.

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