Following the Suns’ second straight loss in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, guards Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks expressed their dissatisfaction with the game’s officials during their post-game media conferences, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon and Doug Haller of The Athletic.
When questioned about a technical foul he earned in the third quarter, Booker stated that he never received an explanation for the penalty. The Suns guard was struck by Thunder center Jaylin Williams and flung the ball behind him as he was falling out of bounds, attempting to save it while also tossing it off Williams (Twitter video link). Although Williams received a personal foul on the play, Booker was penalized with a technical after Thunder guard Alex Caruso protested.
“It is certainly something that has to be looked into,” Booker said. “I heard Caruso tell him to call the tech, and he did so. In my 11 years, I have never called a referee by name, but James (Williams) was horrible throughout the night. It’s detrimental to the sport’s integrity. People will perceive this as a WWE if they are not held accountable. “
Booker was also called for two offensive charges while being guarded by Caruso, one in which the two guards became tangled while moving down the court and the other in which Caruso defended him in the post . In response to the latter claim, Booker stated that he was told that he made an “unnatural shooting motion,” which he vehemently disputed.
“It simply feels disrespectful,” Booker remarked of the officiating. “I know I haven’t won a championship in this league, but I’ve been in it for 11 years. So, to reach this position and be treated in such a way, for me to even speak out, is wrong. … This is the first time in 11 years that I’ve complained about the officiating, but it is necessary. Whatever fine I receive for it, everyone may view the clips and understand where the frustration stems from. “
Meanwhile, during his post-game news conference, Brooks was asked about a fourth-quarter play in which he was charged with his fifth foul while guarding Thunder standout Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“You all should be interviewing the officials,” Brooks told Haller. “That should be something new in the NBA. ” Officials had the opportunity to explain their actions. It’s getting ridiculous, and you can see him getting heated. And there is no control out there. And then they’re only whistling on one side. “
Brooks described Gilgeous-Alexander as “little frail,” adding that he needs to “be smarter” while guarding his Team Canada teammate, based on what the referees are ready to call.
According to MacMahon, Brooks used to watch this when Michael Jordan or someone else was playing, and LeBron (James) was younger. “This is physical basketball. I don’t understand why all the dropping, falling, flopping, flailing, and other antics are tolerated when we reach the playoffs. Leave that for the supporters during the (regular) season. This is about which team is superior, more with-it. Don’t settle games without free throws. “
The defending champion Thunder have outscored the Suns by a total of 48 points in the first two games of the series, but star forward Jalen Williams’ availability is questionable as the series moves to Phoenix for Game 3.
