New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson was hit with a controversial flopping technical foul during a preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night, a call he angrily dismissed as 'bulls---'. The incident occurred as the reigning NBA champions continue their preseason slate, which included a 148-98 loss to the Toronto Raptors on October 13.
In the first quarter, Brunson was battling for position in the paint against Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert. Gobert pushed Brunson in the back, causing the Knicks guard to stumble forward. Play continued, and after a LaMelo Ball three-pointer, an official blew his whistle. The call was a technical foul on Brunson for flopping. The broadcast clearly caught Brunson saying, "Bulls---," as he inbounded the ball. Replays showed clear contact from Gobert, but officials judged Brunson's reaction as exaggerated under the league's new emphasis.
The NBA has made penalizing flopping a major point of emphasis for the 2026-27 season. The league's official site stated officials must "stop with the flop and those ‘exaggerated and theatrical’ movements." A flopping technical foul awards one free throw and possession to the opposing team. That's a significant swing, especially in close games or playoff series. For a player like Brunson, who often drives into contact, the line between a legitimate foul and a flop will be scrutinized all season.
The Knicks' preseason results have been mixed. Following the game where Brunson received the technical, they fell 104-122 to those same Timberwolves on October 12. Their preseason schedule also includes a 109-111 loss to the Washington Wizards on October 8 and a 120-97 defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers on October 5. These are exhibition games used for evaluation, but the 50-point loss to Toronto highlights areas needing work before the real games begin.
The Knicks have a quick chance for preseason redemption. Their next and final preseason fixture is a rematch against the Toronto Raptors at home on October 15. After that, the regular season tips off, and the new flopping rules will be in full effect. How referees enforce this judgment call will be a major storyline. For Brunson and the Knicks, adapting to this emphasis while maintaining their aggressive offensive style will be a key early-season challenge. The team's full upcoming schedule is available on our schedule page.
