It was a call that NBA fans should be watching closely heading into the regular season.This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners.If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated.
This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom.In the first quarter, Brunson was down in the paint with Timberwolves big man Rudy Gobert, fighting for position in a lopsided battle in terms of height and weight.CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGEJalen Brunson of the New York Knicks reacts during the third quarter of a preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Madison Square Garden on Oct.12, 2026, in New York City.
(Getty Images)As Brunson tried to stay under the basket, Gobert clearly pushed him in the back.Brunson sprawled forward and almost hit the deck before regaining his balance.The play continued on, with Brunson running right back into the paint and getting in front of Gobert as a three-point shot was taken by newest Timberwolves star LaMelo Ball.
It was true, swishing through the nylon for three points, but the baseline official blew his whistle.The call? A technical foul on Brunson for flopping."Bulls---," Brunson clearly said as the broadcast caught him sharing his displeasure as he inbounded the ball to a teammate.The reason this call matters is due to an emphasis by officials on flopping heading into the 2026-27 season.There are numerous things they are focused on emphasizing this season, and NBA.com was clear that "stop with the flop" is atop the list.THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE.
DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson motions to teammates during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio on June 13, 2026.(Ross D.
Franklin/AP)"Stop with the flop and those ‘exaggerated and theatrical’ movements in an attempt to get a call," the article read on the league’s official s...