Knicks star Jaylen Brunson calls flop technical foul "bulls---" as NBA referees take new emphasis.

New York Knicks Finals MVP Jalen Brunson received a floppy technical foul after Rudy Gobert apparently shoved him during a preseason game.

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It may have just been a preseason game for the New York Knicks and NBA champion Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night, but in one game in the first quarter, Finals MVP Jalen Brunson got angry with an NBA referee.

It was a call that NBA fans will have to watch closely during the regular season.

In the first quarter, Brunson was battling for position alongside Timberwolves big man Rudy Gobert in a lopsided battle of height and weight.

When Branson tried to stay under the basket, Gobert clearly pushed him back. Branson jumped forward and nearly hit the deck before he regained his balance.

The game continued, and Brunson ran into the paint again, facing Gobert for a three-point shot by the Timberwolves' newest star, LaMelo Ball. It was true that we passed the three points through the nylon, but the referee blew his whistle.

Call? Technical foul on Branson due to the flop.

"Bulls---," Brunson clearly said as the broadcaster shared his displeasure as he tossed the ball to a teammate.

The reason for the importance of this call is because of the authorities' emphasis on relegation in the 2026-27 season. There are a lot of things they're emphasizing this season, and it was clear that "stopping with failure" was at the top of the list.

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"Stop flopping and making those exaggerated, showy moves in an attempt to get a call," reads the article on the league's official site.

Sure, it's definitely something basketball fans can root for. There have been many instances of players contorting their bodies, jumping around and inducing hard contact that has resulted in foul calls for years. For some players, going to the charity stripe for two free shots and helping their team win games like that has become a key part of the game.

However, in this case with Brunson, it was clear that there was a call from Gobert, as his arms extended and Brunson reacted with a push on his back. He stumbled and tried to save himself from falling.

So the question is, where do the referees draw the line? How does this play out during a season where the flop is considered a judgment call?

Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks dribbles during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 12, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (NBAE)

Since a flop is also a technical foul, a free throw is awarded to the other team and they then have the ball. It's a dynamic change, especially late in games and during playoff series.

So, it's definitely something to keep an eye on as the regular season ends in a week.

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