All season long, the Oklahoma City Thunder have frustrated opposing NBA teams due to their ability to get to the free-throw line consistently.
On the other side of it, many opposing players and coaches tend to feel like the game isn’t called fairly both ways when the Thunder are on the other side.
The Los Angeles Lakers are two games into a second-round series against the Thunder, and they are already reaching a breaking point.
After the 125-107 Thunder victory over LA, the Lakers expressed their frustration with the officials. The NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki spoke on JJ Redick’s comments.
Dirk Nowitzki Takes A Jab At The Lakers
GettyBERLIN, GERMANY – JANUARY 15: Dirk Nowitzki, German former basketball player speaks prior to the NBA Match between Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic at Uber Arena on January 15, 2026 in Berlin, Germany. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
“The Lakers are usually the team that always wins the free-throw battle,” Nowitzki said with a smile. “So this is a little new to them.”
While Nowtizki wanted to throw his jab–something that Steve Nash got a kick out of–the former Dallas Mavericks superstar feels like the Lakers shouldn’t dwell on it.
“They are getting clobbered a lot,” he continued. “It’s just something, you need to work the ref, you need to work and position yourself for the next game. That’s just part of the playoffs.”
What Did JJ Redick Say?
GettyLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 15: Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks during a press conference before a preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks at T-Mobile Arena on October 15, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
“Yeah, I mean, I sarcastically said the other day they were the most disruptive team without fouling. I mean, they have a few guys that foul on every possession, and all the good defenses do,” Redick told reporters on Thursday night.
“You know, SGA gets like a, I don’t even know, a touch foul, I guess, on the drive. There was a stretch where, for four straight possessions, our guys got absolutely clobbered trying to make an entry pass to Jaxson, and Jalen Williams is grabbing his jersey with both arms. They’re hard enough to play. You’ve got to be able to just call it if they foul, and they do foul.”
When it comes to actual free-throw numbers, the Thunder didn’t exactly dominate the Lakers in that category. OKC had five more attempts.
However, Redick’s issue is with the non-calls on both sides. It’s certainly not anything new for a Thunder opponent to take issue with the results of the officiating, but all the Lakers can do at this point is focus on Game 3. The series heads to LA with the Lakers trailing 0-2.