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Were all of Victor Wembanyama’s blocks legitimate? Timberwolves say No.

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Were all of Victor Wembanyama’s blocks legitimate? Timberwolves say No.

Not everyone was over the moon that Victor Wembanyama broke the NBA playoff record for most blocks in a game during Game 1 of the conference semifinals between the San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves, Monday, May 4.

The 2026 Defensive Player of the Year finished with 12 blocks on the night, passing the previous mark by two. He also was one swat shy of Dwight Howard’s record for blocks in one half of a playoff game in what ended up being a triple-double performance with 11 points and 15 rebounds.

A day after the remarkable outing in San Antonio, members of the Timberwolves decried Wembanyama’s final stats after even they they earned a 104-102 road win. After coaches and players looked at the game tape, they came to the conclusion that several of Wembanyama’s blocks were not actually blocks, but uncalled goaltending.

“Obviously, he had a historic night, but when we looked at ‘em, at least four of ‘em were goaltending, maybe even a fifth,” Minnesota head coach Chris Finch told reporters Tuesday, May 5. “To me, it’s a little alarming that none of ‘em were called.”

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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action

San Antonio Spurs forward forward Victor Wembanyama pumps his fist at the end of the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Frost Bank Center on Mar. 5, 2026. Victor Wembanyama became the youngest player in NBA history to win the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award Monday, April 20 in the first unanimous vote in league history.

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Timberwolves center and Wembanyama’s fellow Frenchman Rudy Gobert agreed that not all of the blocks should have registered as such on the box score.

“He fouled me on the first one,” Gobert told reporters. “But I mean, if you look at them, probably three or four (goaltends).”

Finch continued by saying the game officials should have “heightened awareness” of Wembanyama, “a generational shot-blocker” and his style of play. He noted that if Wembanyama, who is known as “the Alien,” had the estimated four goaltends called instead of blocks, that would add up to eight points for the Timberwolves.

“You know the value of eight points in an NBA game? It’s massive,” he said. “That’s also 33 percent of his blocks were goaltending, uncalled. If I were to give you a 33 percent raise, you’d like that, right? That’s a huge number.”

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Finch assured that his squad, which includes four-time All-Star Anthony Edwards, isn’t fazed by the disparity. The conference semifinals continue with Game 2 Wednesday night in San Antonio.

“We’re gonna keep coming,” he said. “And we got to make some better decisions in how we attack the rim. All credit to the guys for not being discouraged.”

Gobert showed how the team was keeping a lighthearted attitude.

“I wish I had that type of treatment, too,” he laughed with reporters.

Victor Wemanyama Game 1 highlights

Watch extended highlights of Wembayama’s historic triple-double on May, 4, 2026

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Timberwolves’ Chris Finch, Rudy Gobert question Wembanyama blocks

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