The OKC Thunder inched closer to making back-to-back NBA Finals with a 127-114 win over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 on Tuesday. However, the Spurs will feel hard done by the officials on the night, as they awarded a series of calls in the Thunder’s favor during the game.
Bricks Center highlighted the multiple calls OKC received in their favor, sharing a compilation on X (formerly Twitter).
Thanks for the submission!
“The refs need to be investigated: 🧱 Missed an OBVIOUS goaltend on OKC, 🧱 Refused to let Mitch Johnson challenge a call, 🧱 Tony Brothers then jokes with Lu Dort,” Bricks Center captioned the post.
•
The compilation featured multiple clips of questionable decisions officials made in the Thunder’s favor, including a clear goaltend by Cason Wallace on Luke Kornet and a few other calls that left fans livid.
The lack of calls awarded by the refs had Spurs fans crashing out online, who called out the league for its officiating standards, with many slamming veteran official Tony Brothers for being biased towards the Thunder.
Fans continued to slam OKC’s win on Tuesday, with one fan in particular going as far as to label OKC as “NBA’s MAGA.”
The reactions highlighted the frustration Spurs fans felt, as calls hardly went in favor of their team during the game. This loss now leaves them on the brink of elimination, with the Thunder securing a 3-2 lead in the series.
However, the Spurs will hope to force Game 7 as the series heads back to Texas on Thursday, as the Knicks will be paying close attention after securing a spot in the NBA Finals on Monday.
Spurs head coach urges his team to be more disciplined with fouling amid officiating controversy
The San Antonio Spurs will feel hard done by the officials in their loss to the OKC Thunder in Game 5. While questions about the officiating continue to circulate online, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson urged his players to be more disciplined, instead of focusing on foul calls.
“In the second quarter for sure, we had some times where, fouls or not, we need to be more aware of when we’re in the bonus,” Johnson said. “They got some free throws where they weren’t even at an advantage at that moment.”
The Spurs committed 29 fouls, seven more than OKC, as the Thunder attempted 38 free throws. A more disciplined approach could have surely helped San Antonio, which eventually lost by 13 points.
Edited by Arian Kashyap