Suns Sound Off on NBA Officiating

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PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns led by as much as 17 in their eventual loss to the Indiana Pacers on Friday night.
For a team that surged in two recent 20-point comeback wins themselves, you'd figure the Suns would know all too well the dangers of taking the metaphorical foot off the gas.
Phoenix saw their seven-game winning streak snapped seemingly in an instant thanks to a few different factors, though no fouls called in the Suns' favor in the fourth quarter will certainly raise eyebrows:
"We got to be more aggressive and make them call fouls," said Kevin Durant following the game.
"We've got to be more aggressive and make them call the fouls."
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 27, 2024
"That's a formula to lose right there."
Kevin Durant on just 1 foul call in 4th, having 20 turnovers lead to 25 Indiana points, giving up 21 offensive boards to #Pacers, who took 20 more shots in 133-131 #Suns loss pic.twitter.com/S5vfOWCgaW
Jusuf Nurkic was a little more vocal about his displeasure.
"It's crazy about these referees, you think with three superstars playing with the basketball really physical, going to drive to the rim - somebody can explain to me how the hell they had zero fouls in the fourth quarter," Nurkic said.
"The NBA, referees, whoever that sh-- is, please just give us a script or whatever that sh-- is, how is that possible? Bradley Beal is one of the most explosive people on the f---- planet going to the rim and not getting fouled. Tonight it just felt like a nightmare for that. We just want the same treatment. We understand what's going on but these people are special and they don't deserve these antics, going around and being hit and not getting penalized for it. It's especially hard sometimes, you can't just go against the whole gym."
"Somebody can explain to me how the hell they had 0 fouls in the 4th quarter." Jusuf Nurkic.
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 27, 2024
Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal didn't get foul call in 4th of #Suns loss at #Pacers.
1 Indy PF in 4th.
"Whoever that shit is, please give us a script. How is that possible?" pic.twitter.com/PPtv9n78sL
The Suns are back on the road tomorrow against the Orlando Magic.

Donnie Druin is the Publisher for Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Suns On SI. Donnie moved to Arizona in 2012 and has been with the company since 2018. In college he won "Best Sports Column" in the state of Arizona for his section and has previously provided coverage for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona State Sun Devils. Follow Donnie on Twitter @DonnieDruin for more news, updates, analysis and more!