It wasn’t the first time Doris Burke’s commentary raised eyebrows, as some viewers have previously accused her of bias and even labeled her remarks as racially insensitive.
Well, Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals was a tightly contested battle between the Timberwolves and the Thunder.
Despite the scoring struggles from Oklahoma City’s top three players, the team managed to stay in the game.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a particularly rough night, going just 2-for-13 from the field in the first half.
Even though his shooting from the field wasn’t great, the likely MVP still managed to get on the scoreboard. He had 11 points by halftime, mostly because he made 7 of his 9 free throw attempts.
“There’s a reason NBA Twitter calls him a free throw merchant”
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 21, 2025
– Doris Burke on SGA’s 7 FTA in the first quarter
pic.twitter.com/e2Jqlnaq2K
Early in the game, after he went to the free throw line for the third time in a short span, ESPN commentator Doris Burke made a comment that sparked reactions online.
As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made another free throw, she mentioned a nickname used on social media, calling him the “free throw merchant.”
Daig Muse
Some people didn’t like this tweet. We are in the Western Conference Finals and Doris Burke (on what’s supposed to be a neutral broadcast) used the word “free throw merchant” when talking about Shai.
I don’t care who it is. You are on the biggest basketball stage in the world, you have to be professional.
Doris Burke saying that bullshit only added fuel to the fire cuz I don’t think she said shit else like “but he’s not only a foul merchant at all during the game after when he started cooking”
Ridge
Doris Burke is brutal. Literally has no idea what is happening. Great to have a female on the broadcast though.
The Jerk Store
That remark didn’t sit well with some fans, who now call on her to apologize, saying it was unfair and unnecessary.
Last Week, Doris Burke Criticized for Using Knicks’ Full Name on Air
A week ago, Doris Burke, who regularly calls games with Mike Breen and Richard Jefferson, was on the mic for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Knicks and Celtics.
After a tough outing in the previous game, the Knicks returned to their home court for redemption.
As the game closed, Mikal Bridges nailed a clutch jumper just before the shot clock expired, sending the Madison Square Garden crowd into a frenzy.
Burke added a sharp comment as the broadcast transitioned to a break, saying that the night was going just fine for the Knicks.
Doris Burke with the hard R
— 赤山 (@olivereberle214) May 17, 2025
Fire the racist espn https://t.co/DkN9ek7buG
Many fans did a double-take when they heard Doris Burke’s remark, thinking she might have said something unexpected.
But she used the team’s full official name- the New York Knickerbockers.
Doris Burke with the hard R
Twitter User
Fire the racist espn
While it caught some by surprise, that is indeed the franchise’s formal name, even though most people stick with the much shorter and more familiar “Knicks.”
After all, the full name “Knickerbockers” is rarely used in broadcasts or casual conversation because its pronunciation can, especially when babbled, sound uncomfortably close to a racial slur.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Doris Sable, later known as Doris Burke, was born in West Islip, New York, and moved to Manasquan, New Jersey, when she was seven.
- She grew up there as the youngest of eight siblings and began playing basketball in second grade.
- She played point guard at Manasquan High School and caught the attention of several colleges in the eastern U.S.
