Report: Spurs security director slaps iconic pop singer while guarding Victor Wembanyama

Per the report, the "...Baby One More Time" singer is a fan of "Wemby" and "went over to him to ask if they could take a photo together." After tapping him on the back and right shoulder, Spears was struck, causing her to "fall to the ground" and "knocking her glasses off," according to TMZ Sports' law enforcement sources.

The report further indicated that according to law enforcement, the responding officers "reviewed security camera footage showing Smith push Britney's hand away" and "and then her hand, not Smith's, struck her face." TMZ Sports reported that cops on the scene didn't note the "velocity of the force of the swing."

The incident reportedly occurred at Catch restaurant in the ARIA Hotel around 8:30 p.m. The 41-year-old Grammy winner, along with her husband and two others were entering the restaurant when Spears saw Wembanyama.

Early Thursday afternoon, an update to the TMZ Sports report said that they received "contrary information about the police investigation from a source high up in the Metro PD."

"Our source says this is indeed a criminal investigation and they are taking the incident 'as serious as a heart attack,'" the report said. "The source adds the case will 'likely' be referred to the D.A., although that does not mean criminal charges will be filed."

The singer who rose to fame with hits like "Oops!... I Did It Again" reportedly "composed herself" after the incident and went to her table.

"We're told the security guy came over to the table and apologized," the TMZ Sports report added. "He said, 'You understand how it is when you're being swarmed by fans.' He apologized and Britney accepted it. BTW, we're told he also said when he slapped her he didn't know who she was."

It was reported Thursday morning that Spears' security team "spent time with Victor's security guy" and afterward filed a report with the Metropolitan Police Department, alleging battery.

Wembanyama addressed the incident.

"I couldn't stop. That person was calling me, 'Sir, sir,' and that person grabbed me from behind," Wembanyama said, per the Associated Press and ESPN. "I didn't see what happened because I was walking straight and didn't stop. That person grabbed me from behind — not on my shoulder, she grabbed me from behind. I just know the security pushed her away. I don't know with how much force but security pushed her away. I didn't stop to look so I could walk in and enjoy a nice dinner.

"I didn't know for a couple hours, but when I came back to the hotel ... I thought it was no big deal, and then security of the Spurs told me it was Britney Spears," Wembanyama said. "At first, I was like, 'You're joking,' but yeah, it turns out it was Britney Spears. I never saw her face. I just kept walking straight."

However, Spears denies grabbing Wembanyama, saying she "tapped him" on his shoulder, and the security "backhanded me in the face without looking back, in front of a crowd. Nearly knocking me down and causing my glasses off my face."

Wembanyama and the Spurs are scheduled for their first summer league game at 9 p.m. ET on Friday at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.