NBA Fines Devin Booker $35,000, Rescinds Technical Foul After Suns' Game 2 Loss

The NBA fined Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker $35,000 for criticizing officials after his team's 120-107 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series. The league announced the fine on Thursday, stating it found no basis to any claim of bias or misconduct by game officials. ESPN reported that the loss on Wednesday gave the Thunder a 2-0 series lead over the Suns.

Booker expressed displeasure with the officiating in Game 2. 'It's bad for the sport, bad for the integrity of the sport. People are going to start viewing this as a WWE if they're not held responsible,' Booker said after the loss.

He added, 'It just feels disrespectful.' The NBA also stated that a technical foul called against Booker in the third quarter of Game 2 was improperly assessed and would be rescinded. The technical foul was called by referee JB DeRosa after Booker, who appeared to prevent an out-of-bounds infraction, threw a pass that hit Oklahoma City's Jaylin Williams.

Williams was called for a foul on the play for bumping Booker, knocking him out of bounds. Oklahoma City's Alex Caruso lobbied for Booker to receive a technical foul before it was called. Booker said he never received an explanation for why the technical foul was assessed.

He noted that this criticism marked his first time in 11 years speaking out in such a way, but he considered it needed. 'This is my first time in 11 years, but it's needed,' Booker said on Wednesday. Devin Booker has been in the NBA for 11 years.

ESPN reported these details from the game and Booker's post-game comments. Booker was well aware that his criticism could lead to a fine, yet he proceeded, emphasizing the frustration stemming from the incident. The Suns now trail 0-2 in the series following the 120-107 defeat.

The NBA's decision to rescind the technical foul came alongside the fine announcement, underscoring the league's review of the play.