Sometimes, star players are fouled intentionally to send a message.
It is rare, though, that the same treatment is given to a role player,
Toward the end of the Thunder’s 127-114 home win over the Spurs in Game 5 on Tuesday, Oklahoma City role player Jared McCain was fouled twice in quick succession — including a vicious elbow to the back from Mason Plumlee that knocked him to the floor.
Those fouls in the last two minutes have raised some eyes, especially since the two Spurs that committed the infractions — Plumlee and Bismack Biyombo — received whispered instructions from San Antonio superstar Victor Wembanyama while he exited the floor with his team trailing by 14 with 2:20 remaining.
McCain said he was surprised by the fouls and, while at the free throw line, asked for an explanation of the harsh treatment.
“That was crazy. I didn’t expect it, obviously,” McCain explained on “The Association” following his 20-point effort after being bumped into the starting lineup.
“We were at the free throw line too, and I was like, ‘Why’d you do that man,’ and he was like, ‘I got another one for you too.’ … Wasn’t aware, my team told me after, get to the corner at the end of games.”
The first foul happened with 1:39 remaining in regulation when McCain set a pick and Plumlee ran right through him, resulting in a foul that led to McCain hitting one of two free throw attempts.
Fifty-three seconds later, Biyombo committed a hard foul when McCain drove to the basket.
NBC Analyst Reggie Miller pointed out that leaving McCain on the court in a game that all but had been decided was not a good idea after seeing the two fouls.
“See, these are two shots to McCain in here in the starting lineup in the closing moments of this game. Miller said, “He doesn’t need to be on the floor here.”
While these fouls could be explained as bad luck for the Thunder guard, a viral video from Tuesday night has some wondering about the intent.
Wembanyama gave both Plumlee and Biymobo quick remarks, and then moments later they committed hard fouls on one of the Thunder’s starters.
This has led to some unfounded speculation that Wembanyama may have given some nefarious orders due to the nature of the fouls and the time left in the game.
This chippy ending of the game could add fuel to an already competitive series that could end Thursday in Game 6 with the Thunder holding the 3-2 advantage.