{"id":686320,"date":"2026-05-22T01:34:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T01:34:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/686320\/"},"modified":"2026-05-22T01:34:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T01:34:14","slug":"worst-calls-and-non-calls-from-spurs-thunder-game-2-from-isaiah-hartensteins-hair-pull-to-sga-flops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/686320\/","title":{"rendered":"Worst calls and non-calls from Spurs-Thunder Game 2, from Isaiah Hartenstein\u2019s hair pull to SGA flops"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a> tied the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs<\/a> on Wednesday night with a 122-113 win in Game 2. In order to win the game, though, the Thunder appeared to get away with several calls and non-calls.<\/p>\n

Oklahoma City is already building a reputation for daring the referees to call fouls, but trying to draw fouls on offense and playing with incredible physicality on defense. Both of those ideas were on display in Game 2, as the Thunder got physical to try and defend Victor Wembanyama, but also attempted to initiate foul calls while running their offense.<\/p>\n

It has gotten to the point where fans are now watching games fully anticipating the Thunder getting a favorable whistle, and there were plenty of instances in Game 2 where it seemed like the Spurs got the wrong end of a call. Moving forward, this series may be impacted by how the game was officiated on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n

Here’s a look at some of the worst calls from Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.<\/p>\n

NBA PLAYOFFS HQ:\u00a0Live NBA scores<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0NBA playoff schedule<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0NBA playoff bracket<\/a><\/p>\n

Worst calls and non-calls from Spurs-Thunder Game 2Shai Gilgeous-Alexander flops<\/p>\n

Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the best in the league at drawing fouls, but he has a tendency to exaggerate those plays on the floor. There were several moments in Game 2 that saw Gilgeous-Alexander get fouled while really selling those plays as fouls.<\/p>\n

Shai flopped on every single shot attempt. pic.twitter.com\/EGsbp3dUbT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 House of Lowlights (@HouseLowlights) May 21, 2026<\/a>Isaiah Hartenstein hooks and holds<\/p>\n

Hartenstein was tasked to play a physical game on Wednesday night as he drew Victor Wembanyama in the defensive assignment. However, Hartenstein appeared to hook and hold Wembanyama on many occasions in Game 2 to try to prevent the center from getting involved on both ends of the floor.<\/p>\n

While it doesn’t seem fair what a Hartenstein is able to do with the holding of Wemby, he should continue to do it until the refs catch him and start calling it pic.twitter.com\/ONeia53gwZ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 BBALLBREAKDOWN (@bballbreakdown) May 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Hartenstein flops after GRABBING AND HOOKING Wemby… Foul on Wemby.<\/p>\n

Spurs had to use a challenge for this \ud83d\udc80 pic.twitter.com\/9CpzDBwtvh<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) May 21, 2026<\/a>Isaiah Hartenstein pulls Stephon Castle’s hair<\/p>\n

Harternstein’s physical game didn’t just end at his defense on Wembanyama, as it included pulling the hair of Spurs guard Stephon Castle on a rebound attempt.<\/p>\n

Hartenstein on Castle \ud83d\ude32 pic.twitter.com\/abarmJVYsc<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 21, 2026<\/a>Isaiah Joe’s flop<\/p>\n

Forward Isaiah Joe attempted to get a foul call on a Harrison Barnes’ screen, very clearly selling the call with minimal contact. However, it worked, as Barnes was called for an illegal screen,<\/p>\n

OKC is SHAMELESS<\/p>\n

Refs called a foul on Harrison Barnes \ud83d\udc80 pic.twitter.com\/TIbnN0PZAr<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) May 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

this is just SHAMELESS \ud83d\ude2d pic.twitter.com\/yoQwUVj9ht<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) May 21, 2026<\/a>Stephon Castle’s questionable backcourt violation<\/p>\n

As a Spurs’ offensive possession forced Stephon Castle to mid-court, the referees ultimately called a questionable backcourt violation on him. Castle might have dribbled the ball on the half-court line, but it’s very close and probably was too close to call a violation.<\/p>\n

backcourt or not? \ud83e\udd14 what yall think https:\/\/t.co\/HNmudiMCc8<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/tY3TMEGFVs<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Automatic (@automaticnba) May 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n