Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went 10-of-10 at the free throw line in a 113-107 win over the Detroit Pistons in front of 20,062 fans at Little Caesars Arena. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 48 points total as the Thunder improved to 55-12 on the season.
Following the game, first-year Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff unloaded not only on the officiating crew for allowing Oklahoma City to receive favorable calls, but the NBA for for allowing officials to play favorites during games.
Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff was disgusted
“I’m disgusted by the way that game was officiated,” Bickerstaff said. “The level of disrespect was above and beyond. They have a guy fall down and trip on his own teammate’s foot, they review us for a hostile act. They throw an elbow to our chest and neck area, I ask for them to at least take a look at it. Just show us the respect to take a look at it. Okay. No one would take a look at it. The disrespect has gone far enough…
“We deserve a level of respect because we’re competing our tails off and bringing something positive to this league, right? We’re growing young players. Our young players are competing their tails off. The least that they could do is get the same respect that everybody else in this league gets and get refereed the same way that everybody else in this league gets.
“And enough is enough of it. And what you saw tonight was disgusting. It was a disgusting display of disrespect towards our guys and what we’re trying to do.”
JB Bickerstaff RIPPED the refs and it got him to even slam the table and throw away the box score sheet 👀 pic.twitter.com/yOHL2UMyby
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) March 16, 2025
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gets to the free throw line a lot
Bickerstaff isn’t the first coach to be frustrated watching “the free throw merchant” get favorable calls. Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch aired his frustrations watching Gilgeous-Alexander shoot 17 free throws in Minnesota’s 131-128 win on Feb. 24.
“It’s so frustrating to play this team because they foul a ton,” Finch said via Sports Illustrated. “They foul all the time. And then you can’t really touch Shai. It’s a very frustrating thing.”
Gilgeous-Alexander averages the second most free throw attempts per game (8.9) in the league. Only Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo averages shooting more free throws (10.2) per game in the Association.
During his seven games in March, Gilgeous-Alexander has shot 10+ free throws four times.
On understands Bickerstaff’s frustration. He admitted he coaches his team to play physical defense. Defenders have to change their style of play when an opposing player is getting the whistle. That’s how 48 points and a six-point difference can happen.
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