Is the NBA about to put a stop to players like Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander flopping their way to the free-throw line a dozen times a game?
The league announced Wednesday that officials are making flopping a focus for the 2026-27 season. For example, if a defensive player exaggerates contact and theatrically falls to the court, they’ll call more technical fouls.
In a video showcasing examples of flops from the 2025-26 season, the league focused almost entirely on defensive flops. Interestingly, only two offensive players were used as examples.
The first is Indiana’s Pascal Siakam, who is shown falling to the ground after being untouched on a jump shot. The league claims the act isn’t an embellishment, even though it’s obvious that Siakam is attempting to convince the refs that he was fouled.
“Siakam simply sits down after releasing the shot. This sit-down action is not exaggerated, nor is it theatrical, and therefore no flopping violation would be needed here,” said Monty McCutchen, the NBA’s head of referee development.
In the second offensive example, Portland’s Deni Avdija snaps his head after minimal contact from a defensive player. Again, the league says head snaps are fine.
See below for Part 1 of the 2026-27 Areas of Focus video (narrated by SVP, Head of Referee Development and Training Monty McCutchen), which provides examples and guidance regarding Flopping and Closeouts on Jump Shots – Landing Space: pic.twitter.com/Pbma6PyyPi
— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) September 30, 2026