Mitch Johnson was assessed only three technical fouls during the entire regular season, but he picked up a highly questionable one in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final while coaching the San Antonio Spurs. The technical came after Johnson tried to request a replay challenge on a missed out-of-bounds call and, according to the game account, the officials did not properly recognize his request. Johnson reacted angrily to the non-call, and veteran referee Tony Brothers issued the technical foul. The incident became a focal point because the challenge appeared to have merit: Johnson seemed to signal for the challenge before the ball was put back into play, which should have allowed the review. The disputed call involved an out-of-bounds decision that replay later showed had gone off Chet Holmgren, even though possession was awarded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Instead of stopping play for the challenge, the officials allowed the sequence to continue, and Johnson was penalized for arguing. The Thunder then benefited from the technical free throw and additional points on the next possession, a sequence that could prove significant in a tight game. The episode was described as more of an officiating mistake than a deliberate decision, with the missed challenge appearing to be a breakdown in communication rather than a normal ruling on the floor.
