Victor Wembanyama has expressed his frustration with the officials following San Antonio Spurs' aching 128-116 loss to Los Angeles Clippers at the Frost Bank Center on Wednesday. Per Wembanyama, referees were soft with the Clippers and the lack of foul calls on the opposition impacted the result of the game, eventually calling it "unfair."
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Victor Wembanyama Not Satisfied With the Officiating
"So it’s a hard thing to fight, because it feels unfair sometimes," Wembanyama told The Associated Press. "But, of course, we talk about it with the staff and there is some stuff I have to do to help myself. First of all, being strong and not bailing out shots, but also there is some work to do.
"Talking to the refs, of course, explaining myself. But for me, it doesn’t feel like it’s something I should influence. I’m a basketball player, I’m here to play, and yeah, this is why it’s frustrating. It’s not my job to do politics."
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Victor Wembanyama Engaged in a little Skirmish with Zubac
The Spurs Center seemingly lost his cool during a tense moment with Clippers' Ivica Zubac in the 3rd quarter of the game. Moments after Wembanyama blocked Zubac's shot, Spurs forward Harrison Barnes curtailed the Clippers' lead to 85-78 with 4:45 minutes still remaining on the clock. As Barnes launched a jump shot, Zubac gave Wembanyama a shove, which resulted in him falling to the ground. Irked with the act of Zubac, the 21-year-old quicky went back to the feet and charged at the Clippers big man.
Spurs players, coaches and officials quickly intervened to mitigate the situation. Zubac's offence wasn't seen as a foul by the official.
Later in the presser, Zubac revealed that he apologised to Wembanyama following the culmination of the game.
"I reacted a little," Zubac said. "I thought I got fouled (on the previous play). I was mad at the refs. So, then I was late (on Harrison Barnes’ 3-point shot). I saw it going up. I saw Wemby crashing, so I knew I had to box him out. I bumped him a little harder. I let emotions take over a little bit, but I apologized to him. That’s not the way I want to be on the court and compete."