Worst calls and non-calls from Spurs-Thunder Game 2, from Isaiah Hartenstein’s hair pull to SGA flops
The Oklahoma City Thunder tied the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night with a 122-113 win in Game 2. In order to win the game, though, the Thunder appeared to get away with several calls and non-calls.
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Oklahoma City is already building a reputation for daring the referees to call fouls, but trying to draw fouls on offense and playing with incredible physicality on defense. Both of those ideas were on display in Game 2, as the Thunder got physical to try and defend Victor Wembanyama, but also attempted to initiate foul calls while running their offense.
It has gotten to the point where fans are now watching games fully anticipating the Thunder getting a favorable whistle, and there were plenty of instances in Game 2 where it seemed like the Spurs got the wrong end of a call. Moving forward, this series may be impacted by how the game was officiated on Wednesday night.
Here’s a look at some of the worst calls from Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
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Worst calls and non-calls from Spurs-Thunder Game 2
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander flops
Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the best in the league at drawing fouls, but he has a tendency to exaggerate those plays on the floor. There were several moments in Game 2 that saw Gilgeous-Alexander get fouled while really selling those plays as fouls.
Shai flopped on every single shot attempt. pic.twitter.com/EGsbp3dUbT
— House of Lowlights (@HouseLowlights) May 21, 2026
Isaiah Hartenstein hooks and holds
Hartenstein was tasked to play a physical game on Wednesday night as he drew Victor Wembanyama in the defensive assignment. However, Hartenstein appeared to hook and hold Wembanyama on many occasions in Game 2 to try to prevent the center from getting involved on both ends of the floor.
While it doesn’t seem fair what a Hartenstein is able to do with the holding of Wemby, he should continue to do it until the refs catch him and start calling it pic.twitter.com/ONeia53gwZ
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— BBALLBREAKDOWN (@bballbreakdown) May 21, 2026
Hartenstein flops after GRABBING AND HOOKING Wemby… Foul on Wemby.
Spurs had to use a challenge for this 💀 pic.twitter.com/9CpzDBwtvh
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) May 21, 2026
Isaiah Hartenstein pulls Stephon Castle’s hair
Harternstein’s physical game didn’t just end at his defense on Wembanyama, as it included pulling the hair of Spurs guard Stephon Castle on a rebound attempt.
Hartenstein on Castle 😲 pic.twitter.com/abarmJVYsc
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 21, 2026
Isaiah Joe’s flop
Forward Isaiah Joe attempted to get a foul call on a Harrison Barnes’ screen, very clearly selling the call with minimal contact. However, it worked, as Barnes was called for an illegal screen,
OKC is SHAMELESS
Refs called a foul on Harrison Barnes 💀 pic.twitter.com/TIbnN0PZAr
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) May 21, 2026
this is just SHAMELESS 😭 pic.twitter.com/yoQwUVj9ht
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) May 21, 2026
Stephon Castle’s questionable backcourt violation
As a Spurs’ offensive possession forced Stephon Castle to mid-court, the referees ultimately called a questionable backcourt violation on him. Castle might have dribbled the ball on the half-court line, but it’s very close and probably was too close to call a violation.
backcourt or not? 🤔 what yall think https://t.co/HNmudiMCc8 pic.twitter.com/tY3TMEGFVs
— Automatic (@automaticnba) May 21, 2026
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