Victor Wembanyama’s repeated absence during the US national anthem has sparked outrage. The San Antonio Spurs star has generated enough headlines with his on-court play at the NBA Finals, but the off-court issues just refuse to die down. After crossing his hands before Game 1, Wembanyama wasn’t on the court for the anthem in Games 3 and 4, which only intensified the debate around his demeanor. But his head coach has played it down.

“I think there [are] plenty of players that are not on the floor during the anthem,” Johnson told reporters ahead of Game 5. “I don’t know if that’s habit, superstition, bathroom, whatever it may be. I don’t foresee anything looking into that at all.”

The online discourse began after Game 1, when journalist Matt Wallace shared a video of Wembanyama standing with his arms crossed during the anthem.

“Spurs players REFUSE to put their hands over their hearts for the national anthem!” he captioned the picture. “They are making millions of dollars to play a child’s game and still feel oppressed somehow… Only 2 players covered their hearts. Take note of which ones!”

Defenders and commentators, including Stephen A. Smith, noted that Wembanyama is a French citizen and that standing respectfully is standard international protocol.

“This is patently false. There are plenty of people who listen to the Nat’l Anthem and simply bow their heads with their hands in front of them or behind their backs and pay respects,” Smith posted on X. “Holding your hand over your heart is not a requirement. The Spurs were not being disrespectful in anyway. Who is anyone to say they were just over that gesture? That is utterly ridiculous!!!”

In Game 2, Wembanyama stood quietly and bowed his head. At MSG, though, his absences from the court during Games 3 and 4 reignited debate. Following Johnson’s remarks, the Spurs’ centerpiece returned to the floor for the anthem before Game 5 in San Antonio, standing with his arms crossed as he had earlier in the series.

Johnson’s statement was the first public response from the Spurs after Wembanyama’s anthem posture and pregame absences became a Finals subplot. In his debut Finals series, the 22-year-old had been overly physical before dominating Game 3. While his missed chances and inability to close out games have been a point of debate throughout the postseason, the anthem issue completely overshadowed his 32-point performance in Game 3.

But are there any rules that require a player or coach to be present for the anthem? According to the NBA playbook, it’s not specified to be a mandate, but “players, coaches and trainers are to stand and line up in a dignified posture along the sidelines or on the foul line during the playing of the national anthem.”

Back in 2018, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he expected players to stand, but stopped short of making it a requirement.

“It’s my hope that our players will continue to use that as a moment of unity,” Silver said.

Wembanyama has not responded to the national anthem controversy yet. Outkick had asked President Donald Trump about the French star’s posture during the anthem. But the POTUS admitted that he hadn’t seen the clip yet. He did tell the media to definitely ask the player what he meant, if anything, by his actions. Somehow, that question hasn’t reached the Spurs talisman yet. That said, this wasn’t the only controversy surrounding the 22-year-old.

Victor Wembanyama allegedly kicked out a Knicks-supporting family

The DPOY was pelted with eggs by Knicks fans when he entered the Ritz-Carlton NoMad after the Game 4 loss. While he has remained calm about the situation, another scenario was brewing at the hotel. Phil Godlewski, a Knicks supporter, claimed Victor Wembanyama had him, his wife, his two kids aged 9 and 11, and his friends evicted from their NYC hotel room.

“We just got kicked out of the Ritz-Carlton NoMad because Victor Wembenyama had us removed from the hotel because we said good luck tonight and we’re wearing Knicks gear,” Godlewski said, in a clip that was posted by JeffGSpursZone on X. “This guy is one of the worst people in sports. Probably worse than any athlete that I’ve experienced.”

Then, in another video, Godlewski burned down a Wemby-signed jersey he had at home.

“I don’t know who this guy thinks he is, but I do have news for him,” Godlewski said. “His career is not going to be what he thinks it is.”

There is no comment from either the hotel or the Spurs regarding the incident. While Wemby has been quiet about the issues, the ‘disrespectful’ label keeps growing louder.