Nurkic irked by officials after setting Suns' rebound record - ESPN

PHOENIX — Jusuf Nurkic broke the Suns' franchise record with 31 rebounds, the most in an NBA game in 14 years, but he didn't want to talk much about the feat after a 118-110 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night.

Both Nurkic and Phoenix coach Frank Vogel spoke critically of some missed foul calls after the Thunder escaped with a victory despite blowing a 24-point lead.

«I don't know, man, I'm just trying to do my role the best I can. But it's kind of really messed up when you have 13 offensive rebounds and 16 shots then zero free throws,» Nurkic said. «As hard as I work, and I feel like [I'm] getting fouled as [much as] anybody in the league.

»And I'm not here saying — we lost the game, it is what it is — [but] it's just, it's not really common sense. At least one [free throw]. [To] not even have one? But I know it happens. I ain't the first one, and I ain't going to be the last, either, unfortunately."

Vogel, in particular, was focused on how often Suns star Kevin Durant was fouled, in his eyes.

«We've got to be better,» he said. "(But) I'll start by saying they fouled the s--- out of Kevin Durant all night. Whether he has the ball and he's getting stripped three, four, maybe even five times, and every time he tries to get open he's being held, which is something I really want the league to look at."

Both Vogel and Nurkic noted the Suns' 22 turnovers, as well. Oklahoma City had six.

«That's where it starts, the turnover problem,» Vogel added. «We've had issues with it throughout the year. This team is No. 1 in the league in forcing turnovers, we didn't handle their pressure well enough and their length, and recognizing our length when we try to touch the paint. It was costly.»

Nurkic finished with 14 points,