Spurs coach Mitch Johnson dismisses Wembanyama anthem controversy ahead of Knicks-Spurs Game 5

As he did before Game 1, Wembanyama stood with his arms crossed during "The Star-Spangled Banner" before Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday night at Frost Bank Center.

"Not at all," Johnson said. "I think there are plenty of players that are not on the floor during the anthem. I don't know if that's habit, superstition, bathroom, whatever it may be. I don't foresee anything looking into that at all."

But the scrutiny didn't end there.

Notably, Johnson did not deny that Wembanyama elected to stay off the court during those two anthems.

OutKick reviewed ESPN's broadcasts from the first four games of the series. Wembanyama was shown during anthem coverage before Games 1 and 2, but not during Games 3 and 4. ESPN also noticeably changed its broadcast presentation of the anthem for Game 4, though it is unclear whether that had anything to do with Wembanyama not being visible.

ABC/ESPN returned to its normal anthem production for Game 5 with Wembanyama on the court and the broadcast showed the Spurs star with his arms crossed.

OutKick/Fox News Digital has continued to pursue the issue throughout the Finals. OutKick/Fox News Digital has asked the Spurs, NBA and ESPN for comment, and none have offered an explanation.

To OutKick/Fox News Digital's knowledge, the question to Johnson ahead of Game 5 was the first time a media member brought up the controversy to one of the involved parties.

That made Saturday's anthem before Game 5 the next potential flashpoint.

And after Saturday night, the controversy is not going away.