The Oklahoma City Thunder won the NBA championship in 2024-25. They’ve achieved the ultimate success, which has led to deserved praise for the stars as well as the organization as a whole. But winning it all also puts a target on your back, and the Thunder have received quite a bit of criticism as well.
Fans have mercilessly mocked the number of free throws that reigning Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gets. However, there have also been questions about the Thunder’s overt physicality. Lu Dort is one of the league’s most physical defenders, and the conversation about whether the team gets away with too much has now become mainstream.
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Payton Pritchard says the Thunder got away with a lot of fouls in the playoffs
“When you see OKC, who won the championship, they get away with a lot of hands, fouls, physicality, stuff like that. The NBA, in the playoffs, is allowing a lot more physicality.”
(Via @CelticsCLNS… pic.twitter.com/1PI0XLaTTe
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 4, 2025
Payton Pritchard knows a thing or two about winning championships. He was a key piece for the Boston Celtics when they won it all in 2024. And he’s now suggested that the Thunder were given too much leeway by the refs during their title run.
“When you see OKC and them win the championship, they got away with a lot of hands, fouls, a lot of physicality—stuff like that,” he said.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren runs into Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard on a drive during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
“The NBA, I feel like, in the playoffs, is allowing a lot more physicality now. But you’ve got to learn how to play through it and be more physical. We’re emphasizing it. It’s been good,” Pritchard added, showing that he isn’t just complaining about it.
The Thunder will have all the eyes on them as they try to mount a championship defense this season. Scrutiny will be at an all-time high; it remains to be seen if that will bring out any changes in the way they are refereed.
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