Former NBA Player Terrence Ross Accuses Refs Of 'Cheating' For OKC Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder inched one step closer to defending their title Tuesday night by defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 32 points and nine assists. The two-time MVP wasn't the only star who came to play in Game 5 though, as Alex Caruso, Chet Holmgren and Jared McCain combined for 58 points.
Throughout this year's NBA playoffs, fans have ripped countless referees for apparently giving the Thunder preferential treatment. Well, it appears a former first-round pick is now entertaining that conversation.
Terrence Ross, who played in the NBA from 2012-2023, accused the refs of "cheating" during the Western Conference Finals.
"The refs are cheating," Ross wrote on social media. "Point blank period."
That comment from Ross sparked plenty of complaints from the NBA world.
"Yeah idk if I wanna play the Thunder. Not that I don't think the Knicks can't beat em, but these refs are CLEARLY in their pocket," a Knicks fan said.
"Refs might as well be wearing Thunder jerseys tonight…horrible one sided officiating," a second fan commented.
"Maybe the single most egregiously officiated game I've ever seen," another person declared.
Spurs star Stephon Castle calls out refs after Game 5.
After dropping Game 5 on the road, Stephon Castle made it known that he's not fond of the league's officiating.
"Trying to play through it is tough. I just think the way they guard, how physical they are, we don't get that same luxury to be able to play as physical on the other end at times," Castle told reporters, via Bleacher Report. "Offensively, I think we do a good job of screening and playing through it. I think we create a lot of advantages, but I think we missed a lot of open shots tonight."
The Western Conference Finals will resume on Thursday night. We'll see if the Spurs can keep their season alive and force a Game 7.
Copyright The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published May 27, 2026 at 7:18 AM.