Suns' Devin Booker Rips Referees Over Technical Foul in Loss to Thunder
Mistakes on foul calls can seriously impact the game, and many feel that was the case in the Phoenix Suns‘ 120-107 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Suns star Devin Booker was whistled for a confusing technical foul during Game 2 of their playoff series. It occurred as Jaylin Williams bumped Booker near the edge of the court, and Booker went to save the ball, flipping it behind him.
The ball ended up hitting Williams, and referee James Williams whistled Booker for a technical foul. It left the broadcast team puzzled, and even Booker later admitted that he still hadn’t received an explanation for the call.
After the game, Booker also responded to reporters’ questions about what occurred, suggesting that bad calls like that are hurting the game.
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“It’s definitely something that has to be looked at. I heard (Alex) Caruso tell them to call the tech, and he ended up doing it. In my 11 years, I haven’t called a ref out by name, but James (Williams) was terrible tonight, through and through. It’s bad for the sport, bad for the integrity of the sport. People are going to start viewing this as the WWE if they’re not held responsible,” he said in his postgame press conference.
“I’m surprised this is happening on national TV, in playoff games,” he said.
“I know I haven’t won a championship in this league, but I have been in it for 11 years now, so to get to this point to be treated like that, for me to even be saying something out loud, it’s bad. It’s my first time in 11 years, but it’s needed. Whatever, I get fined for it, everybody can pull the clips and see where the frustration comes from,” Booker said.
Booker could soon receive a fine from the league for his postgame remarks, though they can also review the calls in question and see that he has a strong case to be upset about them. It undoubtedly wouldn’t be the first time the NBA officials have messed up calls, and the league often issues reports after games clarifying and removing any mistakes.
The Suns’ star has been in the league since 2015, and referees have issued him 108 technical fouls in that time. The most he received in any season is 13. By comparison, Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors has been in the league since 2012 and has 176 technicals.
Booker finished with 22 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in the loss. With that, the Phoenix Suns find themselves down 0-2 in the best-of-seven series, as they head back to Phoenix for Game 3.
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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 10:36 AM.