The New York Knicks did not have enough effort to overcome the Oklahoma City Thunder, as they lost 103–100. In close games like this, sometimes one or two things happen that change the trajectory of the game, and for the Knicks, they believe it was the referees that had a lot to do with the outcome.
After the game, head coach Mike Brown talked about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his ability to manipulate the referees into thinking he was being fouled.
"SGA, that's a tough cover," Brown said. "He does a very good job of convincing the refs, probably better than anyone in the league, that he's getting hit."
The one thing people have always criticized about Gilgeous-Alexander is his game and how he gets to the free-throw line. Against the Knicks, he only attempted seven free throws, as that number has been higher at times.
Jalen Brunson took it further when talking about the refs, but they had physical evidence of a foul that probably should have been called. Brunson had a black eye and after the game a reporter asked him about it.
“Probably no call,” Brunson said.
Jalen Brunson has a scratch under his eye after playing with the Thunder
"Maybe no-call"
(via @sny_knicks)pic.twitter.com/we3pIYRiKF
- FullCourtPass (@FullCourtPass) 5 March 2026
There may be a possibility that Brown may receive a letter in his mailbox, but Brunson may be safe. Either way, it's clear that both of them were not fans of how the game was being run against them.
It seems like the way the Thunder play, especially on defense, has made a lot of people fall for them and made them difficult to stop. When teams try to copy what he does, it usually results in foul play, which has been frustrating for some throughout the season.
The Knicks didn't let them bother them much during the game and they still managed to give themselves a chance in the end.
