Dave Portnoy Reacts to Controversial No-Call on Alvarado’s Tackle of Wembanyama

During Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Dave Portnoy found himself bewildered by yet another officiating decision involving Victor Wembanyama. The game, held at Madison Square Garden, was already rife with controversial calls as the San Antonio Spurs established a commanding lead over the New York Knicks.

The incident that caught Portnoy's attention involved Jose Alvarado, who tackled Wembanyama in a manner more typical of football than basketball. Following the play, Portnoy expressed his disbelief on Twitter, questioning, “Tackling a guy isn’t a flagrant? Ok.” His response highlighted the confusion surrounding the call, as the physical nature of the play seemed to warrant a more severe penalty.

The lack of a flagrant foul was particularly striking given the context of the game, where officials had already faced scrutiny for their inconsistent handling of physical contact. At halftime, San Antonio led 76-49, dominating the game while showcasing impressive three-point shooting.

This incident took on added significance as it followed a warning from Alvarado to Wembanyama after a previous game, where he suggested that the Spurs star had pushed the limits of acceptable play. Notably, Wembanyama had avoided a flagrant foul for a shove on Jalen Brunson in Game 3, while a foul against Mitchell Robinson was later upgraded to a flagrant in the same game.

The decision not to penalize Alvarado has fueled ongoing discussions about officiating in the series, with Portnoy’s reaction resonating with fans who perceive a troubling pattern in the rulings surrounding Wembanyama and the Knicks.