SGA 'Does a Great Job of Convincing the Referees' of Fouls, Knicks' Mike Brown Says After Loss

New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown discussed Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's ability to draw fouls after the Thunder wrapped up a 103-100 win over the Knicks on Wednesday night.

"SGA, he's a tough cover," Brown told reporters after the game. "He does a great job of convincing the referees - probably better than anybody in the league - that he's getting hit."

On Thursday, the X account for the NBA referees gave insight into one of the decisions that drew Brown's ire during the loss.

In addition, the NBA's Last Two Minute Report from the game noted two incorrect calls, both of which went against the Thunder.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who ranks No. 4 in the NBA with an average of 9.2 free-throw attempts per game, connected on all seven of his free throws in the victory over New York.

In the first quarter of the game, Brown was given a technical foul after he appeared to argue that the reigning MVP should have been called for an offensive foul prior to making a layup. It would have represented Gilgeous-Alexander's third foul at the time.

Oklahoma City held a 50-40 edge at halftime and led by 15 points early in the third quarter, but New York stormed back to take a three-point lead heading into the fourth.

The Knicks extended their advantage to four points early in the final quarter before the Thunder jumped back in front, as Gilgeous-Alexander buried a triple to give Oklahoma City a seven-point lead with over one minute remaining.

New York had an opportunity to send the contest to overtime, but potential game-tying three-point attempts from Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby were both unsuccessful.

Wednesday didn't represent the first time that an opposing coach has specifically brought up Gilgeous-Alexander's ability to draw fouls this season, as Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch also did so while expressing his frustrations following a win over the Thunder on Dec. 19.

"It's so frustrating to play this team because they foul a ton. They really do," Finch said, per Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. "They foul. They foul all the time. And then you can't really touch Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander). It's a very frustrating thing, and it takes a lot of mental toughness to play through it."

The Thunder improved to 49-15 as they attempt to capture their second consecutive championship, while the Knicks fell to 40-23.