Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, once again at the center of controversy due to the referees

The New York Knicks' 103-100 defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder left more than just a tight result. It also opened a new chapter in the debate on how games involving the Oklahoma team are being officiated, especially when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is on the court.

New York Knicks coach Mike Brown joined the growing chorus of criticism regarding the Thunder's officiating. The coach received his first technical foul as New York coach at the end of the first quarter after protesting an action that he believed should have been called as the third personal foul on Gilgeous-Alexander.

The play occurred with 1:57 remaining in the first period. Gilgeous-Alexander collided with Jalen Brunson while driving to the basket, and the Knicks' guard ended up on the floor, but the referees did not call a foul. Brown felt that the action should have been penalized as an offensive foul.

That decision could have impacted the course of the game. With a hypothetical third foul, the Canadian guard would have had to go to the bench much earlier in a match that was ultimately decided by just three points. Furthermore, the Knicks had two three-point attempts to tie in the final six seconds but failed to convert.

After the game, Brown remained upset about the play.

"SGA is a very difficult player to defend and does a great job convincing the referees—probably better than anyone in the league—that he is being hit," the coach stated.

Gilgeous-Alexander finished the game with 26 points and eight assists in 35 minutes. Moreover, he was the player with the most free-throw attempts, with seven shots. His three-pointer with 1:18 left set the score at 103-96, a crucial advantage for Oklahoma to seal the victory.

The reigning NBA MVP is one of the players who draw the most fouls in the league. Only Luka Doncic attempts more free throws per game this season, while Gilgeous-Alexander averages 9.2. Additionally, he leads the NBA in free throws made for the third consecutive year.

About the play that sparked his protest, Brown was clear.

"Jalen was there and ran him over. It was like the foul called on OG [Anunoby]. I don't understand why nothing was called this time," he explained. "It should have been his third foul, the basket should not have counted, and the ball should have been ours."

However, the coach avoided solely attributing the defeat to that officiating decision. The Knicks were seeking their fourth consecutive victory but could not close out the game in the final moments.

Brunson, central to the play and creator of three offensive fouls drawn against the Thunder during the game, publicly supported his coach.

"I will always have his back. He is with us every night," he declared. "Regardless of what he does or the technical fouls he receives, I will always support him."

The New York guard appeared in the mixed zone with a bruise under his right eye. When asked about the origin of the blow, he replied with an ironic smile: "It was probably another play."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, otra vez en el centro de la polémica por los árbitros