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The Oklahoma City Thunder survived a thriller in a 103-100 win over the New York Knicks. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander knocked down a big-time stepback 3-pointer. The reigning NBA champions came up with a couple of game-winning stops as Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby failed to tie things up.
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But if you looked purely at social media, you'd think the Thunder got away with some egregious calls and non-calls. Knicks head coach Mike Brown singled out Gilgeous-Alexander's whistle. Nevermind the fact that he only took seven free-throw attempts as he finished with 26 points and eight assists.
In the latest — and perhaps last — piece of drama from OKC's road win over New York, the L2M report contradicted all of the social media noise. As well as an official NBA referee account explaining why Gilgeous-Alexander didn't pick up his third foul in the first quarter.
The L2M Report was revealed. In the NBA, you see them publish daily reports for games that fall under the clutch-time category. The league dissects all calls and non-calls — with explanations on why they were or weren't the right move.
In the Thunder's 103-100 win over the Knicks, there were two mistakes. Both went against OKC — in a sick twist of irony. Considering the Thunder also had two successful challenges, that meant four calls went against them in the final minutes.
The referees made an incorrect call on Wallace. He was handed a foul on Josh Hart at the 1:32 mark of the fourth quarter. The Knicks starter swished in two free-throw attempts to make it a 100-96 lead for the Thunder.
The L2M report said: "Wallace (OKC) makes contact with the ball as he defends Hart's (NYK) shot near the rim."
The referees made an incorrect non-call. Landry Shamet got away with a shooting foul on Holmgren at the 0:20 mark of the fourth quarter. If called, he would've gone to the free-throw line as OKC had a 103-100 lead.
The L2M report said: "Shamet (NYK) extends his forearm into Holmgren's (OKC) path and initiates contact that affects his SQBR. This contact occurs prior to, and causes, any ensuing contact from Holmgren to Shamet's upper body."
L2M Report of the Thunder’s 103-101 win over the Knicks:
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) March 5, 2026
There were 2 mistakes. Both went against OKC
Cason Wallace’s foul on Josh Hart was an incorrect call. Landry Shamet got away with a foul on Chet Holmgren pic.twitter.com/rfRp5TB5dZ
The biggest referee controversy happened in the first quarter. Already tagged with two fouls, the Knicks were irate that Gilgeous-Alexander wasn't called for a third with two minutes left in the opening frame. They thought Jalen Brunson drew a charge. Nope. Referees let the reigning MVP get the easy layup instead.
The NBA Referees social media account explained why Gilgeous-Alexander didn't get called for the offensive foul. In a long-winded explanation, they said Brunson was not in a legal guarding position. He didn't give Gilgeous-Alexander the appropriate space.
The NBA Referees account said: "By rule, a defensive player must allow a moving player that is receiving a pass, outside of the lower defensive box, an opportunity to avoid contact. The speed of the player will determine the amount of distance an opponent must allow. On this play, Brunson does not give Gilgeous-Alexander an opportunity to avoid contact after receiving a pass outside of the LDB and therefore Brunson is not in a legal guarding position. The referees will then judge if the contact affects the SQBR (Speed, Quickness, Balance, or Rhythm) of Gilgeous-Alexander. If it does, this would be a blocking foul and if it does not then a no call would be appropriate."
By rule, a defensive player must allow a moving player that is receiving a pass, outside of the lower defensive box, an opportunity to avoid contact. The speed of the player will determine the amount of distance an opponent must allow. On this play, Brunson does not give… https://t.co/3CJ90IOAPU
— NBA Referees (@OfficialNBARefs) March 5, 2026
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: L2M Report: Thunder on wrong side of 2 mistakes in 103-100 win over Knicks