Knicks' Brown: SGA 'great' at convincing refs he's being hit

New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown expressed frustration with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's ability to draw favorable calls, venting his displeasure during Wednesday's loss when referees held their whistles on a play involving the reigning MVP.

"SGA, he's a tough cover, and he does a great job of convincing the referees -- probably better than anybody in the league - that he's getting hit," Brown said after falling 103-100 to the defending NBA champions, according to ESPN's Vincent Goodwill.

Brown received his first technical foul as Knicks coach after Gilgeous-Alexander barrelled through Jalen Brunson for a layup in the first quarter. Had officials called an offensive foul, the Thunder star would have picked up his third foul early in the game.

Although Brown didn't blame the loss on the play, he was still bothered about the call after the contest.

"That should've been his third (foul), the bucket shouldn't have counted, and we should've gone the other way with the basketball," Brown said.

"Jalen is standing there, putting his body on the line, and our guys are fighting their asses off to win the ball game, and it just didn't sit well with me."

Gilgeous-Alexander ranks second in the NBA in free-throw attempts per game and went to the line seven times against the Knicks on Wednesday.