The NBA makes a puzzling decision with Devin Booker's clash with the referees in Game 2

The NBA makes a puzzling decision with Devin Booker's clash with the referees in Game 2 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>The Phoenix Suns are down 2-0 in the series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. While that is expected because it is a matchup between the #1 and #8 seeds, Booker is not a fan of what he has experienced with the referees during the series.

>Booker made sure to point this out during his post-game press conference. He called out referee James Williams specifically, which promptly got him assessed a $25,000 fine by the NBA on Thursday.

The NBA's confusing decision with Devin Booker's referee commentsOKC has become well known for their manipulation of the referees. Gilgeous-Alexander is superb at drawing contact and finishing plays with an and-one. That is a legitimate skill now, but other players have also done well to force calls.

>Some sell contact well to draw offensive fouls, while others get away with some sly moves that the referees do not see. In Game 2, Booker was most frustrated by Alex Caruso asking for a technical foul to be assessed, and then Booker was called for one almost immediately.

>MORE: Devin Booker puts referee James Williams on blast after Game 2

>Any player would get frustrated at that, but it was Booker's tipping point. He is not the type of player to be complaining about the referees, but Game 2 was his final straw.

>Now, the NBA has fined him accordingly, but they also confirmed that the technical foul was improperly assessed, so it was rescinded. However, Booker still received a fine from the NBA.

>This is an interesting situation because it feels the NBA is taking accountability for the mistakes the referees made during Game 2. However, the league still fined the player who exposed the issue.

>It is an interesting angle to take from the NBA, but this could still have a long-term effect. If the referees tighten up their officiating, this could be a big win for any team in the league.

More NBA news:Mat Ishbia shows his full support for Suns star Devin Booker after referee fiasco • >Dillon Brooks calls out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for being a "frail" player • >The rest of the schedule for OKC Thunder vs Phoenix Suns • >Chet Holmgren is amused by Dillon Brooks' antics against the Thunder • >Jalen Green's comments about the referees mirrors what Devin Booker has said recently