Jimmy Butler holds the answer on how Victor Wembanyama might be punished by NBA

Victor Wembanyama left Paycom Center after his San Antonio Spurs lost Western Conference Finals Game 5 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 127-114. The Spurs star didn't speak with the media after the game, and he might have violated mandatory media availability rules if he did so without any approved reason.

There's a precedent to that.

Three years ago, Jimmy Butler did the same, skipping the required post-game media after Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics. The league said Butler violated its "media interview access rules," thereby imposing a heavy fine of $25,000.

Butler is not the only example. Dillon Brooks was also fined in the past for skipping required post-game media sessions.

MORE: Victor Wembanyama goes silent after Thunder push Spurs to brink in Game 5

There's an exception to NBA's mandatory media rules that might save Victor Wembanyama

The NBA understands that sometimes players are in no position to handle the media. Therefore, the rule has some exceptions, including injury treatment, medical evaluation, team-approved circumstances, illness, or at least a reasonable emergency.

Therefore, Wembanyama's punishment will be determined considering if his absence was due to any one of the above reasons. However, the Spurs have said nothing that suggested there was any.

In any case, the league must scrutinize the absence before announcing its punishment. Or they might hand him a free pass/warning.

More NBA news:

• Thunder fans will love this 85.7% playoff stat after OKC takes 3-2 lead
• Not Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, Thunder’s unexpected X-factor is fueling their playoff run
• Victor Wembanyama leaves Shai Gilgeous-Alexander searching for answers
• Thunder's Alex Caruso equals Stephen Curry in massive 3-point record vs. Spurs