The NBA has issued a fine to Phoenix Suns player Devin Booker, one that will cost him $35,000.
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According to a statement from the league, Booker's criticism of officials after the 120-107 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder served as the reason for the fine. The Suns player had particularly spoken out about a technical foul assessed to him during the third quarter. He also singled out referee James Williams with his postgame comments.
"It's bad for the sport, bad for the integrity of the sport," Booker said. "People are going to start viewing this as a WWE if they're not held responsible.
"It just feels disrespectful. I know I haven't won a championship in this league, but I have been in it for 11 years now. So to get to this point to be treated like that, for me to even be saying something out loud, it's bad."
The technical foul became a particular point of conversation after the Suns-Thunder game. This occurred during the third quarter of the playoff game. Jaylin Williams of the Thunder bumped Booker and knocked him out of bounds.
As Booker fell out of bounds, he tossed the ball back onto the court. The whistle blew as the broadcast team said that it was a foul on Williams. Confusion then took over after the NBA referee called a technical foul.
A longer version of Devin Booker receives a technical foul, and no one can understand why he got it.
WHAT THE HELL DID HE DO!??!?!
No idea. https://t.co/S1oPFk2Ype pic.twitter.com/YUDT8GqSDO
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) April 23, 2026
Williams initially thought the technical foul was on him, as did one of the announcers. They then realized that the referee had called the technical on Booker, who responded by asking for clarification before heading to the free throw line.
The replay showed that when the Suns player threw the ball inbounds, it hit Williams. Yet, the broadcast team could not figure out if this was the reason for the technical foul.
"Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker has been fined $35,000 for public criticism of the officiating, it was announced today by James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations," the NBA said.
"Following an investigation including multiple interviews and video review, the league found no basis to any claim of bias or misconduct by game officials.
"Booker made his comments to the press following the Suns' 120-107 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on April 22 at Paycom Center.
"The NBA also determined that Booker's technical foul at 2:05 in the third quarter was improperly assessed and it has therefore been rescinded."
