There has been no shortage of technical fouls in these NBA playoffs, as emotions run high and players grow tired of the same opponents.
There already have been small dust-ups across multiple series — the Warriors-Rockets, Knicks-Pistons, Pacers-Bucks, Nuggets-Clippers and Lakers-Timberwolves have each seen players scrap, to varying degrees.
In particular, Monday night’s Golden State-Houston game saw multiple stoppages during which officials reviewed extracurricular activity; Rockets forward Tari Eason and guard Dillon Brooks and Warriors guard Stephen Curry and forward Draymond Green were each assessed a tech — and that was in the second quarter, alone.
In the third quarter, the Warriors were even called for a delay of game technical foul, though that one was not assessed to any player.
Here’s everything you need to know about how technical fouls work in the NBA playoffs:
How do technical fouls work in the 2025 NBA playoffs?
All technical fouls from the regular season reset at the start of the playoffs, which means that all players participating start with a clean slate. Whereas a 16th technical foul in the regular season would trigger a suspension, the number in the postseason is seven, with multiple suspensions possible with additional infractions.
Nonetheless, there are fines and additional consequences that arise from each technical foul assessed in the postseason.
The NBA, however, has the option to rescind technical fouls on review, as it does in the regular season.
What is the discipline for technical fouls in the 2025 NBA Playoffs?
- Technical fouls Nos. 1 and 2 result in a fine of $2,000 per infraction.
- Technical fouls Nos. 3 and 4 result in a fine of $3,000 per infraction.
- Technical fouls Nos. 5 and 6 result in a fine of $4,000 per infraction; the NBA will send a warning letter to the offending player upon reaching his fifth technical of the playoffs.
- Technical foul No. 7 results in a fine of $5,000 and a one-game suspension.
- Each additional technical foul results in a fine of $5,000.
- Each two additional technical fouls — Nos. 9, 11, 13 and so on — will trigger a suspension in addition to the $5,000 fine.