NBA Referees Criticized After Ausar Thompson Flagrant 1 Foul May 2026

The NBA is facing questions after a flagrant 1 foul call in the Cleveland vs. Detroit game. This is more controversial than typical fouls because of the physical contact shown on video replays.
By Newsroom | Sports, USA |

CLEVELAND, OH — A contentious call during a recent NBA game has ignited a fresh wave of fan discontent regarding officiating standards. The focal point of this controversy is an incident involving Sam Merrill and Ausar Thompson, which some argue was mishandled by game referees.

The immediate aftermath saw Thompson penalized with a flagrant 1 foul for contact with Merrill, where replays distinctly showed Thompson's hand around Merrill's neck before throwing him to the floor. The decision to issue a flagrant 1, rather than a more severe penalty, has become a significant point of contention, fueling a strong backlash from segments of the NBA audience.

"He said he thought former Cleveland teammate and Pistons reserve guard Caris LeVert scratched him. It was unnecessary contact but also not excessive, so that’s why it wasn’t upgraded to a flagrant 2.”

Merrill, who recently marked his 30th birthday, expressed a lack of immediate awareness regarding the severity of the contact. "I thought he just pushed me," Merrill stated, referencing the league's rulebook and framing the incident as a "moving screen." He only grasped the full extent of Thompson's action upon reviewing game footage.

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The game in question involved the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons. Reports indicate Thompson received a technical foul at the end of the third quarter. Further into the game, Thompson was called for his fourth personal foul early in the second half, leading to his substitution due to foul trouble. The narrative surrounding Thompson's fouls also includes an earlier incident where he was called for his fifth foul while interacting with Evan Mobley.

While Merrill himself was reported as being "OUT" by some outlets around May 7, 2026, the specific game this incident occurred in is not definitively stated in the provided data, though context suggests it was a playoff or crucial regular-season matchup given the fan reaction. The league office's decision-making process regarding foul severity continues to be a point of public discussion and critique.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the NBA call a flagrant 1 foul on Ausar Thompson during the game against Sam Merrill?
Referees issued a flagrant 1 foul because they decided the contact was unnecessary but not excessive enough for a flagrant 2. This decision followed a review of the play where Thompson grabbed Merrill by the neck and pulled him to the floor.
Q: How did Sam Merrill react to the contact from Ausar Thompson?
Sam Merrill initially thought it was just a push or a moving screen during the game. He only realized the severity of the contact after watching the video footage after the game ended.
Q: What is the main complaint from fans regarding the NBA referees in May 2026?
Fans are unhappy because they believe the foul should have been a flagrant 2 instead of a flagrant 1. This has led to more public discussion about whether the league is being consistent with its foul rules.
Q: How did the foul trouble affect Ausar Thompson in the game?
Ausar Thompson struggled with foul trouble throughout the game, receiving a technical foul in the third quarter and his fourth personal foul early in the second half. This forced him to be substituted out of the game earlier than planned.