Damian Lillard Has 4-Word Reaction to Officiating in Thunder-Spurs

After an opening game that became an instant NBA Playoffs classic, two more games have featured Victor Wembanyama becoming less of a factor, and the Oklahoma City Thunder showing a championship mentality.

Some believe there’s also an officiating aspect that impacts the game, as foul calls can dictate the flow of a game depending on how they’re called.

In Game 3, the Oklahoma City Thunder captured a 123-108 win to regain control of the series, now leading 2-1 in the Western Conference Finals over the San Antonio Spurs.

However, for many people, it was hard to ignore that fouls were a major part of the game flow. That includes NBA players watching this series from afar.

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Among those who appeared to have an interest in the game were All-Star Damian Lillard, who posted a four-word reaction on social media to what he’s witnessed in this series.

“Refs doing too much,” Lillard wrote in an X message during Friday night’s Game 3.

Lillard spent his Portland Trail Blazers season on the sidelines recovering from injury, but he has had plenty of experience dealing with officials.

Hundreds of X commenters chimed in on what the multi-time All-Star noted about Game 3, with many seeming to agree with him.

“Yo @NBA we have actual players calling out your horrific officiating,” someone wrote.

“Lost count how many times caruso and dort mauled spurs players and got away with it 😂,” another commenter said.

“What you think about SGA pushing off every time and then getting the call? Keep it a buck,” someone wrote.

Criticism of officiating occurs throughout sports. Professional sports leagues review officiating after games and release reports on any missed calls that should’ve gone differently, which they have during the NBA Playoffs, but have yet to do for Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.

In the Thunder’s latest win, the referees called 53 personal fouls, with the Spurs earning 28 of them, compared to 25 for OKC. Both teams shot 33 free throws for the game, with the Thunder making one more at the line than their opponents.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led his team with 26 points, and 12 of those came from hitting his 12 free throw attempts. That only continues the ongoing debate and criticism about SGA’s ability to draw fouls and earn trips to the line.

Game 4 between the Spurs and Thunder tips off at 8 p.m. ET in San Antonio on Sunday evening.

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This story was originally published May 23, 2026 at 9:09 AM.