The Phoenix Suns tried their best on Wednesday in Game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, the team's efforts were insufficient, as they lost 120-107, falling behind 0-2 in the series. After the game, star guard Devin Booker criticized the officiating during his postgame presser.
Booker called out the longtime NBA official, James Williams, for listening to Alex Caruso. According to the former Kentucky guard, Caruso told Williams to give the Suns guard a technical foul. Shortly after that, he received one from Williams.
Booker was frustrated over the officiating, and he isn't alone. Suns' majority owner, Mat Ishbia, commented on the incident via X.
Mat Ishbia Shares Devin Booker's Frustration Over Officiating
Brett Davis-Imagn Images
“I am 100% behind Devin Booker here,” Ishbia wrote. “Last night was not a good look for our league. Let me be clear, we didn’t lose because of officiating, but that doesn’t make last night any less important.”
“When a referee is missing calls and clearly disrespecting the players, almost mocking them, they must be held accountable. Nobody who loves this game enjoyed watching that last night. They want to see the players compete at the highest level. The league needs be far more aggressive about this kind of thing. All players and all fans deserve it.”
Booker's comments about Williams could lead to him getting fined. Players who have been outspoken about their frustration with how a game was officiated usually get fined by the league. However, the Suns were not afraid to speak up about what happened against the Thunder.
Together with the five-time All-Star, Dillon Brooks also expressed his honest opinion about the referees. Brooks was fouled out in the fourth quarter and proposed that officials should be interviewed after games regarding the calls they have made.
“Ya'll should be interviewing the officials,” Brooks said. “That should be a new thing in the NBA. Officials got to explain themselves because it's getting ridiculous when you can see it. It starts getting fiery. No control out there. Now they're just whistling on one side.”
Brooks said that officials should allow players to be physical since it's the playoffs. He also questioned why some referees allow the flailing and flopping in the postseason. The Suns forward said that games shouldn't be decided by free throws.
Booker and the Suns look to get a win on Saturday for Game 3 at the Mortgage Matchup Center.
