Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Makes Feelings Clear on Dillon Brooks Calling Out Officials After Suns’ Game 2 Loss

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder to 2-0 series lead over Suns as officiating controversy and Dillon Brooks’ criticism take center stage in Game 2.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder continued their dominant start to the playoffs on Wednesday, defeating the Phoenix Suns 120–107 in Game 2 of their first-round Western Conference series to take a commanding 2–0 lead.
Gilgeous-Alexander once again set the tone, finishing with a game-high 37 points after scoring 25 in Game 1’s blowout. However, as has often been the case, the spotlight wasn’t only on his performance but also on officiating and on continued accusations of foul baiting.

Gilgeous-Alexander Stays Focused On Winning as Suns Voice Frustration

Gilgeous-Alexander has faced criticism throughout the season for drawing fouls, and Game 2 was no different. The contest featured several questionable calls and non-calls on both ends, leading to visible frustration from Phoenix players.

Dillon Brooks was particularly vocal postgame, suggesting that referees should be made available to the media to explain their perspective on some questionable decisions.

“Ya’ll should be interviewing the officials. That should be a new thing in the NBA,” Brooks said. “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.”

Devin Booker also expressed frustration after being assessed a technical foul for appearing to throw the ball toward Jaylin Williams following a whistle.

MORE: ‘GOT A TECH FOR SAVING THE BALL’ — NBA World Reacts as Devin Booker Fumes Over ‘Ridiculous’ Officiating in Suns-Thunder Game 2

But despite the noise, Gilgeous-Alexander made it clear he is not concerned with outside criticism.

“I can’t control what Dillon or anybody else on the other side is gonna complain about,” he said. “All I can do is try to go out there and win basketball games for my team.”

There was also a brief on-court exchange between Gilgeous-Alexander and Brooks. After Brooks reacted animatedly to a foul call, Gilgeous-Alexander responded by scoring on the next possession and letting him hear about it.

“I think he blocked my shot in transition a couple plays before, and then I tried to pass it and it tipped out of bounds, and he was screaming and hollering. He was just doing his usual antics, and then I scored on him and let him hear it a little bit,” he said about the moment.

Gilgeous-Alexander added nine assists and five rebounds to his 37-point performance, shooting 13-of-25 from the field and a perfect 9-of-9 from the free-throw line. Brooks led Phoenix with 30 points and six rebounds, helping spark a fourth-quarter push that ultimately fell short.

The series now shifts to Phoenix for Games 3 and 4, where the Suns will look to respond on their home floor. Game 3 is set for Saturday, April 25, at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.

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