Image Source: NBA Sports
[Saba Sports News] NBA referee Tony Brothers became a viral sensation for issuing a technical foul under unusual circumstances to Dejounte Murray, the Atlanta Hawks guard, during their game against the Brooklyn Nets. It seemed that Murray received the technical for not responding to Brothers, who is 59, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The peculiar moment occurred when the Hawks were trailing 107-90, with just over four minutes remaining in the game.
This technical might be one of the mildest ever given in the NBA, as it involved no spoken words or overt actions. Despite the incident, the Hawks lost the game 114-102, with Murray contributing 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Brothers, with a 30-year tenure as an NBA referee, has a controversial history with player interactions and was disciplined last season for allegedly using foul language towards a Nets player. High-profile players, including Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks and Murray’s teammate Trae Young, have previously clashed with Brothers.
Returning from a near month-long break due to an Achilles injury he sustained in a game, Brothers’ recent decision signals a stern message to NBA players regarding his tolerance for being overlooked during games.