Start Center Victor Wembanyama violated media access rules following the San Antonio Spurs’ Game 5 loss, and the NBA has responded heavily to it, Yankee Scores reports.
The San Antonio Spurs lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder 127-114 in Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference finals. Immediately after the game, a team spokesperson told reporters that Wembanyama would be unavailable to speak to them.
Wembanyama finished the game with 20 points on 4-for-15 shooting on Tuesday. He finished the first half with 1 rebound, tying his second half rebound record in Game 3 loss for his fewest rebounds in a half in the playoffs.
The NBA has always levied fines for players who do not make themselves available to the media in the past. Jimmy Butler and Dillon Brooks both received $25,000 fines in 2023 for not speaking to reporters. Now, the NBA issued a warning to Victor Wembanyama for violating media access on Tuesday, according to Sham Charania.
DEVELOPING: The NBA has officially warned Victor Wembanyama about violating media access rules after he declined to address reporters after the Spurs’ Game 5 loss Tuesday night in OKC 🚨 pic.twitter.com/nHoblodRnB
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) May 27, 2026
Victor Wembanyama, in April, won the 2025-26 Magic Johnson Award from the Professional Basketball Writers Association, an award given to players with excellence on the court and cooperation and grace dealing with the media and fans.
