Bronny James and Stephen Curry's reaction after a controversial refereeing decision
The reaction of both during the Lakers vs. Warriors drew attention after a refereeing decision that involved the young Los Angeles player.
B ronny James and Stephen Curry starred in one of the most curious moments of the matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors . In the middle of the game, a refereeing decision sparked a reaction between the two that quickly drew attention.
The incident occurred when Bronny was called for an offensive foul while Curry was defending him . The situation ended with the two players laughing, in a scene that some interpreted as an ironic reaction to one of the new rules the NBA is applying.
The play that made Bronny and Curry laugh
The play happened when Bronny tried to use his arm to create separation while driving. The referees ruled that he had committed a violation and called an offensive foul.
The NBA is paying special attention this season to so-called “push-offs,” when a player uses the free arm to push or create separation from their defender.
The decision generated an immediate reaction from the Lakers player. Curry, who was directly involved in the play as the defender, also ended up laughing along with Bronny, giving rise to one of the most eye-catching moments of the night.
The scene did not go unnoticed because it came in a game that pitted two of the most popular NBA franchises against each other. In addition, the interpretation of the play once again put the spotlight on the new provisions that seek to limit certain moves by attacking players.
What changes with the NBA’s “new rule”
Although people are talking about a new rule, the NBA has not created a foul that was previously allowed. The league included pushes with the off arm among its points of emphasis for the 2026-27 season: this is about reinforcing the enforcement of a prohibition that was already in the rulebook.
The focus is on the so-called push-offs , moves in which the attacker uses the arm not controlling the ball to push the defender and gain space. Moving the opponent out of position to make a shot or a drive easier constitutes an offensive foul , not a legal way to get open. Contact to feel the opponent’s position is still allowed; forcefully pushing him or fully extending the arm against him is not.
When this offensive foul is called, the player is charged with a personal foul and their team loses possession. The opponent inbound from the sideline, with no free throws for that infraction. The penalty, therefore, not only interrupts the shot attempt: it also ends the opportunity to attack .
Bronny is not the only one who has encountered this criterion during preparation. Scottie Barnes was also penalized for a similar action in Toronto's preseason opener. According to Sporting News, the Raptors player described the distinction between allowed and penalized contact as “strange” .
