Keldon Johnson was assessed a flagrant foul 1 after Monday’s game between the San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns for kicking Devin Booker in the groin, an incident missed by on-court officials during the match.
The NBA announced the retroactive punishment on Tuesday following the Spurs’ 122-96 victory over the Suns. Video footage clearly showed Johnson’s kick, which left Booker in visible pain on the floor. Despite referee Natalie Sago having a clear view, no foul was called during the game. Play continued while Booker writhed on the court.
The Suns shared the incriminating clip on their official social media, making the league’s decision more public. According to the NBA rulebook, coaches cannot challenge non-calls. Suns coach Jordan Ott had no option to request a replay review during the game.
However, the rulebook allows officials to initiate replay reviews on their own if a player commits a hostile act against another player, coach, or bench personnel. A groin kick fits that description. NBA referees regularly stop play to review less serious incidents, yet this was overlooked in real time.
Had Booker retaliated with a similar act, officials would likely have reviewed the incident immediately and possibly issued a flagrant foul 2 with an ejection. The league’s language around “hostile acts” gives referees leeway to intervene without a prior call on the floor.
The game was already out of reach at the time of the incident, with the Spurs holding a 15-point lead. That lessened the impact of the missed call on the final result. Still, the failure to address a clear hostile act during the game drew criticism from Suns fans and analysts.
The NBA’s decision to issue the flagrant foul 1 retroactively means Johnson’s action will be on record, and he faces any associated fines or disciplinary measures. The league’s move reflects an effort to hold players accountable even when officials miss incidents in real time.
There has been no public statement from Johnson or the Spurs about the incident or the league’s ruling. Booker’s condition after the game has not been detailed by the Suns or their medical staff.
Officials face ongoing scrutiny for missed calls involving player safety, and this event adds to discussions about the consistency of in-game officiating. The NBA’s postgame intervention demonstrates its willingness to use replay to correct oversights but also raises questions about why the play was not reviewed during the match.
The flagrant foul stands as the latest example of the league addressing violent conduct off the court rather than on it. The Spurs’ win remains official, but the episode will likely prompt further debate over the NBA’s approach to managing aggressive fouls and protecting players.
According to Yahoo Sports.
