For Golden State Warriors fans, the sight of Stephen Curry hitting the floor after contact—
only to see play continue without a whistle—has become an all-too-familiar frustration.
Whether it’s driving to the basket or launching a three-pointer,
Curry often finds himself on the receiving end of questionable no-calls.
The latest controversy has once again placed the NBA’s officiating under the microscope,
with NBC Sports commentators making a compelling case about the inconsistent treatment of the Warriors’ superstar.
Curry’s Frustration With Officiating Grows
Last month, during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Curry drove past Austin Reaves for a crucial layup. Contact sent him sprawling to the hardwood, leaving a visible mark on his forehead. As he looked up at the officials, expecting a foul call, play continued without interruption. After the game, Curry couldn’t hide his frustration.
“No foul though. Send a picture of my face to the league,” he remarked, hinting at his growing exasperation over the lack of calls in his favor.
This moment reignited the long-standing debate about whether Curry’s style of play—relying on finesse, quick movement, and deep-range shooting—results in fewer foul calls compared to other NBA stars who often initiate contact more aggressively.
Unsurprisingly, Curry’s irritation with officiating resurfaced when he was asked what rule he would change if he were NBA commissioner for a day. During media day at the All-Star weekend, he suggested that the league provide more transparency regarding referee evaluations and grading. While he maintained that he wasn’t trying to make officials’ jobs harder, his response hinted at underlying concerns about how games are being officiated—especially in relation to him and his team.
NBC Commentators Call Out Officiating Disparities
The debate over Curry’s treatment took center stage again during a recent matchup between the Warriors and the New York Knicks. In the second quarter, Knicks guard Jalen Brunson went up for a shot, and after releasing the ball, he was hit by Buddy Hield. The referees immediately called a foul.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr and Curry quickly approached referee CJ Washington to protest, pointing out how similar situations involving Curry rarely result in foul calls. NBC Sports commentators backed up their argument, highlighting how often Curry appears to get hit after releasing a shot, only for officials to either ignore the contact or overturn previous calls upon review.
“This has happened to Steph Curry at least 10 times this season,” one of the commentators noted. “Sometimes they challenge it, and you look at it again, and they overturn it. And Steph is at the line going, ‘Wait a minute, what? I’m not shooting free throws?’”
Their discussion underscored the larger issue of inconsistency in NBA officiating. “See, I don’t mind if that’s a foul,” another commentator added. “The guy releases it, and you whack him on the arm. I don’t mind that—except, you just said it: Steph Curry gets hit after he releases the three all the time.”
Another voice chimed in, emphasizing the frustration shared by many players across the league: “Consistency. That’s all these players want. Look at Steph and Steve—they’re talking to CJ Washington, saying this happens to him all the time. He releases it and then gets hit.”
A Pattern of Questionable No-Calls Against Curry
This isn’t the first time Curry has had to fight for calls. In January, during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he drove to the basket and was fouled by Jaden McDaniels. However, the referees initially ruled it a non-shooting foul, preventing Curry from earning free throws. The decision was met with immediate protests, especially considering that Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards had been awarded two free throws for a similar play earlier in the game.
Another notable incident occurred in December during the NBA Cup against the Houston Rockets. In the first quarter, Curry hit a tough three-pointer while drawing clear contact. Expecting a four-point play, he immediately looked to the officials, only to see no call made. Head referee Bill Kennedy later admitted the mistake, telling Curry, “My fault.” While the accountability was appreciated, it did little to alleviate concerns about the inconsistent whistle Curry receives.
NBC commentators have taken notice of this trend and continue to highlight the problem. “In Utah, it was called a foul, and then they replayed it and said the ball had been released. It was marginal contact, and they overturned it,” one analyst pointed out. “Yeah, so what are we doing here?”
The Call for Consistency
At this point, the concern isn’t just about Curry—it’s about the standard of officiating across the league. Players and coaches alike are simply asking for consistency. If a player is fouled on a shot attempt, the call should be the same regardless of who it is.
Curry’s ability to absorb contact without flopping, combined with his reputation as a sharpshooter rather than a physical slasher, may contribute to officials viewing his plays differently. However, as one of the league’s premier superstars, there’s no reason he should be officiated any differently than his peers.
The Warriors and their fans hope that continued attention on this issue will lead to change. Whether it’s clearer rules on what constitutes a shooting foul, increased transparency on referee grading, or simply more consistency from game to game, the calls—or lack thereof—on Curry continue to fuel debate.
Until then, Warriors fans will likely continue to hold their breath whenever Curry drives to the hoop or releases a three-pointer, hoping that this time, the officials see the contact the same way they do.
Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.
