MINNEAPOLIS — San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama was ejected for the first time in his NBA career after striking Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid with an elbow during Game 4 of the second-round playoff series at Target Center in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves won 114-109 to level the best-of-seven series at 2-2.

The contact, which caught Reid on the jaw and neck, was initially called an offensive foul. After video review, officials upgraded the call to a Flagrant 2 for excessive contact above the neck, which triggered an automatic ejection.

Fans at Target Center chanted "Kick him out! Kick him out!" during the review. When the Flagrant 2 penalty was announced, Wembanyama turned to teammate Harrison Barnes and asked, "What does that mean?" He then slapped hands with each of his Spurs teammates on his way off the court as the arena sound system played Michael Jackson's "Beat It!"

Reid sank both free throws to give Minnesota a 38-34 lead. Wembanyama finished with four points, four rebounds, and three fouls in 13 minutes.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said referees needed to do more to protect his player. "He's going to have to protect himself if [the referees] are not … It's disgusting. I just think that the amount of physicality that people play with him at some level you have to protect yourself," Johnson said.

Johnson also addressed the possibility of additional discipline. "There was zero intent," he said. "I think it would be ridiculous [to punish him further]."

The ejection came one game after Wembanyama scored 39 points on 13-for-18 shooting in Game 3, which San Antonio won 115-108 to take a 2-1 series lead. The NBA will determine Wembanyama's availability for Game 5 on Monday. The Spurs will host Game 5 on Tuesday.