It didn’t take long for the referee conversation to spring up once again in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. A major spotlight throughout the Oklahoma City Thunder’s first run to the NBA Finals in over a decade has been on the number of free throws and fouls called for their MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
One needn’t look further than this series against the Indiana Pacers itself, where the Thunder haven’t won a game where Alexander did not have more than 10 free throws. With a historic Game 7, the first in a decade, underway, it didn’t take long for the conversation to resume anew, barely halfway through the first quarter.
Fans Complain About Refs Immediately in Game 7
The conversation around free throws has surrounded Gilgeous-Alexander and Oklahoma City for essentially the entire season. Averaging 8.8 attempts a night from the charity stripe in the regular season, SGA took it a step further in the postseason, with the number increasing to 9.3.
In these Finals, the star guard for the Thunder has totaled 58 free throws through six games. And it didn’t take long for the former Los Angeles Clippers to end up on the charity stripe once again.
Early in the first quarter, Aaron Nesmith was quickly called for two fouls, forcing head coach Rick Carlisle to sub him out of the game.
It immediately caused backlash from the fans, with one writing, “It’s not an official Pacers vs. Thunder game until Aaron Nesmith picks up 2 fouls in the first 5 minutes.”
It’s not an official Pacers vs. Thunder game until Aaron Nesmith picks up 2 fouls in the first 5 minutes.
— Scott Reichel (@ReichelRadio) June 23, 2025
One fan even had the exact recipe for Indiana to follow, as he wrote down in a clear shot against the officiating, “Can the Pacers outshoot the refs? That seems to be what this game will boil down to.”
Can the Pacers outshoot the refs? That seems to be what this game will boil down to
— hoosierdocious (@hoosierdocious) June 23, 2025
For others, it was part of a larger problem that they predicted would continue throughout the game. “And just like I called it. OKC’s refs put Indiana’s best defensive player on the bench with fake fouls. Now the Pacers know they can’t even look at Alexander w/o being penalized.”
Going a step further, this fan compared the proceedings to a WWE event as a shot at the game being scripted. “Well done @nba. It’s like Wrestlemania for free! At least assign the Reggie Miller crew!”
And just like I called it. OKC’s refs put Indiana’s best defensive player on the bench with fake fouls. Now the Pacers know they can’t even look at Alexander w/o being penalized. Well done @nba . It’s like Wrestlemania for free! At least assign the Reggie Miller crew!
— LoneStarWolverine (@TexasMazingBlue) June 23, 2025
Another fan was immediately ready to start a petition as well, claiming, “RT if you think the Officials will have a bigger role than either thr Thunder or the Pacers on who will win the NBA Finals Championship. #NBAFinals”
RT if you think the Officials will have a bigger role than either thr Thunder or the Pacers on who will win the NBA Finals Championship. #NBAFinals
— @rlac17 (@rlac17) June 23, 2025
As the score remained tied at 16 before the Pacers were hit with some brutal news, fans could already see a clear discrepancy in the two teams’ styles. “Pacers working for their shots. Thunder just getting help from the refs”
Pacers working for their shots. Thunder just getting help from the refs
— Haz 🇦🇺 (@hazza77k) June 23, 2025
It has to be noted that, for all the fans airing their grievances, the Thunder attempted only four total free throws in the first quarter, in comparison to two for the Indiana Pacers. However, a foul called on an SGA drive is what most fans saw as the biggest culprit.
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One immediately responded to the call specifically, “Are you kidding. Rest assured once the nba and refs realize that pacers trying to run away with the game, OKC will get touchy fouls calls and free throws.”
Are you kidding. Rest assured once the nba and refs realize that pacers trying to run away with the game, OKC will get touchy fouls calls and free throws.
— USA One (@KrishnaSUSA1) June 23, 2025
Without their superstar point guard, an already difficult path to success just got infinitely harder for the Pacers. And if the larger NBA fanbase is correct, then they have their hands full trying to go up against an MVP, the team with the best regular season record, and the referees.
