NBA seeing uptick in fouls during playoffs, league says it’s natural

If it feels like there have been more whistles this NBA postseason, you are not imagining it.

NBA referees are calling about 11 percent more personal fouls per game in the playoffs compared to the regular season, putting this year on pace for one of the larger increases in league history.

From the NBA’s perspective, that comes with the territory.

“There is a difference,” NBA senior vice president of referee development and training Monty McCutchen said at the draft combine, via ESPN. “But it would be very difficult on players, coaches and referees if the intensity of a seven-game series carried over 82 games.”

In other words, the stakes change, and so does the environment.

The league tracks every call closely, just as it does during the regular season, with referees reviewing tape after games and being evaluated throughout the postseason.

Still, playoff basketball tends to bring more physical play, tighter margins and heightened emotion. That combination often leads to more fouls being called.

History backs it up. This marks the 66th time in 80 seasons that foul calls have increased from the regular season to the playoffs. An increase above 10 percent has been far less common, occurring only a handful of times over the past several decades.

McCutchen said the goal is not to swallow the whistle, but to manage the balance between physical and excessive.

“We’re not putting our whistles in our pocket,” he said. “We’re trying to meet the moments of the passion of the playoffs in a way that upholds our standards.”

There have already been flashpoints. Lakers guard Austin Reaves and teammates approached officials following a Game 2 loss to the Thunder to question perceived inconsistencies.

Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama was ejected in another game after an elbow involving Timberwolves forward Naz Reid, with acting coach Mitch Johnson later defending his player.

The league’s line is a simple one: Aggressive is fine. Rough is not.