Buddy Hield of the Golden State Warriors warms up before the NBA Playoffs Game 3 between Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on May 10, 2025 in San Francisco, California, United States.
In the NFL, grabbing an opposing player by their jersey collar in an attempt to bring them down is a 15-yard personal foul penalty and an automatic first down for the offense. During Monday’s Game 5 matchup between the Warriors and Timberwolves, it was a common foul, leaving all of Chase Center in disbelief.
With 4:17 left in the first half, Jaden McDaniels grabbed the back of Buddy Hield’s jersey collar to stop him from attempting a layup. The officials reviewed the play to see if it was worthy of being upgraded to a flagrant foul, but they determined it did not rise to that level. Obviously, the San Francisco crowd was upset, but the disbelief even made its way to reporters and other observers of the game.
KNBR’s John Dickinson posted on social media that he was “Really surprised that’s not a flagrant foul,” because of the contact near the head area. Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic said in a post that the decision was a “Stunner,” adding, “Cue the ‘if that was Draymond’ replies,” of which there were a fair amount. Even Timberwolves beat reporter Jon Krawczynski said Minnesota “Dodged a bullet there” with the call.
Naturally, the Warriors bench was none too happy with the call either, especially veteran Draymond Green. According to multiple reports, the 35-year-old forward went to speak with all three officials on the floor after the call was made to say something to each of them as Hield went to the line to take his free throws.
Safe to say he probably wasn’t telling them they made the right call.