What's behind the sudden surge in flagrant 2 fouls during the first week of the NBA playoffs? Officiating decisions have taken center stage this week, starting with Draymond Green's ejection on Monday for a flagrant 2 foul after stomping on Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis resulting in a one-game suspension for Green.
The decision left the Golden State Warriors short-handed for Thursday's Game 3. Then on Thursday, James Harden of the Philadelphia 76ers became the second star sent to the showers early, when he was called for a flagrant 2 for hitting Brooklyn Nets wing Royce O'Neale in the groin with his off hand while dribbling.
Earlier, teammate Joel Embiid was called only for a flagrant 1 — which does not result in ejection — when he kicked Nets center Nic Claxton from the ground.
Typically, flagrant 2 fouls are rare. Just 14 of them were called during the entire 2022-23 NBA regular season, or an average of one every 88 games.