New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown didn’t like the way the referees were officiating his team as they narrowly defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 103-100 on Wednesday. As it turned out, Brown’s nemesis throughout the game was Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whom Brown criticized after the loss.
According to ESPN, Brown singled out Gilgeous-Alexander’s ability to get to the free throw line, though the coach suggested it’s not always worth it.
“SGA, he’s a tough cover guy and he does a great job of convincing the umpires – probably better than anyone in the league – that he got hit,” Brown said.
Gilgeous-Alexander hit a game-high seven free throws in the win. He scored 26 points in every game and led the Thunder to victory.
advertise
Brown’s dissatisfaction with Gilgeous-Alexander goes beyond the Thunder star’s calls. In the first quarter, the coach argued with the referee over a missed foul call on Gilgeous-Alexander and received his first technical foul since joining the Knicks.
[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2026 MLB season]
The game took place with 1:57 left in the first quarter. As Gilgeous-Alexander drove to the basket, he knocked Knicks star Jalen Brunson to the ground. The referee didn’t foul Gilgeous-Alexander, who rallied and made a layup to extend the Thunder’s lead.
When Brunson fell to the ground, multiple Knicks players, including Brunson, raised their hands, waiting to foul Gilgeous-Alexander.
But no one was angrier than Brown, who complained directly to his face. This earned Brown a technical foul.
advertise
While Brown doesn’t want to blame that missed call for deciding the outcome of the game, it was a critical play. If the referees had called Gilgeous-Alexander on that play, he would have been charged three fouls in the first quarter. The Thunder may be cautious with their star the rest of the way, which could lead to a different outcome.
Some may take issue with Gilgeous-Alexander’s approach, but the Thunder star does have a knack for getting to the free throw line. He led the league in free throws made per game the past two seasons, and he leads the league in that distinction again this season.
advertise
Gilgeous-Alexander ranks second in the NBA in free throws made per game this season, trailing only Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic.