10
Loading video...
By Jayesh Pagar
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks has reignited the debate over NBA officiating.
He accused the Oklahoma City Thunder of benefiting from their reputation when it comes to foul calls.
Brooks believes the defending champions receive more leniency for flopping, while other players face a different standard.
Read More on NBA
...
His comments add to a familiar storyline surrounding Oklahoma City. The Thunder have drawn criticism from opponents over their ability to draw contact and get to the free-throw line.
Brooks has been among the most vocal critics, and his latest comments show that he believes the issue goes beyond individual calls.
Speaking in an interview shared on YouTube, Brooks questioned whether officials judge players differently based on their reputation.
“Refs talk, and I think they have like a list of floppers. I think OKC flops a lot, but they don’t get called for it because they got a pedigree. It’s all pick and choose, and you got to realize that refs are human, they’re not robots, so they’re going to see what they see and call what they call.”
The criticism is not new for Brooks. During the 2026 playoffs, he questioned the officiating after Phoenix lost to Oklahoma City in Game 2 of their first-round series. He also took aim at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 37 points in that contest and made all nine of his free-throw attempts.
Brooks argued at the time that the playoffs should feature more physical basketball. He was particularly frustrated by what he viewed as players exaggerating contact to draw fouls.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines