Victor Wembanyama's presence on the court is impossible to ignore. At his towering height, he's the centerpiece of every game—and that includes the physical battles that come with it. In Game 5 between the San Antonio Spurs and the Minnesota Timberwolves, those battles took a dramatic turn.

The game ultimately went Minnesota's way, but the real headline was Wembanyama's first career ejection after catching Naz Reid with an elbow to the head. It was a clear, hard blow—worthy of the call. But for Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson, this moment is a symptom of a larger issue: the relentless physicality Wembanyama faces every single night.

"I just think that the amount of physicality people play with, with him, at some level, you have to protect himself," Johnson said candidly after Game 4. "Every single play, every single part of the floor, people were trying to impose their physicality on him. I get it, we get it, it's part of the game. At some stage, he has to be protected. If not, he has to protect himself. Unfortunately, stuff like that happens... I think it's getting hit on every play, so at times, you have to create a lead."

Game 4 was already a hard-fought matchup, even before Wembanyama's exit. The Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards, admitted that adjusting their strategy without him on the floor was no easy task. But they managed to pull off the win, tying the series at 2-2. Now, the Spurs are left waiting—not just for Game 5, but for the NBA's decision on Wembanyama's status. His availability for Tuesday's game is in jeopardy, and the league will have the final say.

For fans and players alike, this series is a reminder that even the most dominant forces need to learn how to stand their ground. And as Johnson sees it, Wembanyama is doing exactly that—finding ways to protect himself in a league that doesn't give an inch.