What is a flagrant 2 foul in the NBA and how do you get one?

What is a flagrant 2 foul in the NBA and how do you get one?

Ciku Njuguna
updated at May 5, 2023 at 4:16 AM

What is a flagrant 2 foul in basketball? Despite being a contact sport, sanctions like the flagrant foul 2 penalties are designed to keep the game clean and safe. Dig in here and learn more about the increasingly common penalty.

Do you get suspended for a flagrant 2?
Milwaukee Bucks guard Grayson Allen (7) commits a flagrant foul on Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso (6) in the third quarter at Fiserv Forum Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, in Milwaukee. Photo by John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service.
Source: Getty Images

According to NBA rules, a flagrant foul is deemed to have occurred when there is excessive and unnecessary contact against an opponent. This article will dive deep into details of what happens when a flagrant 2 foul occurs on the basketball court.

What is the definition of flagrant fouls 1 and 2 in the NBA?

The flagrant foul 1 is deemed to have occurred when the referee flags unnecessary physical contact committed by a basketball player against an opponent. The flagrant foul penalty 2 refers to unnecessary and excessive physical contact committed by a basketball player against a member of the opposing team.

What is the penalty for a flagrant 2 foul?
After review, Toronto Raptors center Bismack Biyombo (8) is hit with a flagrant foul for grabbing Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23). Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers in 2nd half action of Game 3 of Eastern Conference Finals of NBA playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Photo by Rick Madonik/Toronto Star.
Source: Getty Images

However, such a call requires referees to seek a replay of the game. This is done to ensure certainty that a flagrant foul has occurred.

The replay is initiated by the referee to assess whether the foul is, without a doubt, a flagrant 1 or 2 foul or a common or technical foul. The replay is also important for the referee to assess whether unsportsmanlike behaviour was committed by any player before the foul occurred or immediately after it occurred.

Is a flagrant 2 foul an ejection?
Dallas Mavericks Jose Barea (11) in action, taking flagrant foul from Los Angeles Lakers Andrew Bynum (17) at American Airlines Center. Game 4. Dallas. Photo by Greg Nelson /Sports Illustrated.
Source: Getty Images

A flagrant penalty is issued to the offending player when several factors are evident. These include the following

  1. The severity of the physical contact between the players.
  2. Whether or not the offence was intended as a legitimate basketball play
  3. Whether windup and follow-through accompany the contact
  4. Potential for injury to cause harm
  5. The severity of the injury
  6. Whether the physical contact led to an altercation between the players involved

Rules on flagrant fouls do not change during the regular season and postseason. The final ruling on the offence rests with on-court referees.

What happens if you get 2 flagrant fouls?
Saint Louis University guard Javon Pickett (4) commits a flagrant foul against VCU guard Ace Baldwin Jr (1) late in the game during a college basketball game between the VCU Rams and the Saint Louis Billikens on February 03, 2023, at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, MO. Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire.
Source: Getty Images

What is the difference between flagrant fouls 1 and 2?

Although both fouls seemingly share definitions, FF1 is handled more leniently compared to FF2. According to a report by NBC Sports, FF1 offences often refer to hits on the head and neck. On the other hand, FF2 offences are deemed as dirty fouls with more hostile contacts, such as a groin hit.

What are some examples of flagrant 2 fouls in the NBA?

During the fourth quarter of the 2022/23 NBA Playoffs, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green received an ejection and a one-game suspension for stomping on Sacramento Kings centre Domantas Sabonis' chest. In a statement, the NBA stated that,

"In part, the suspension was based on Draymond Green's history of unsportsmanlike acts."
What is the fine for a flagrant 2 foul?
The Nets Seth Curry was called for a flagrant one foul on this take down of the Celtics Jayson Tatum in the first quarter. The Boston Celtics hosted the Brooklyn Nets for Game Two of their first round NBA Playoff series held at the TD Garden in Boston on April 20, 2022. Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe
Source: Getty Images

More FF2 offenders who were sent off to the showers early include Philadelphia 76ers James Harden, who hit Royce O'Neale of the Brooklyn Nets in the groin, while Memphis Grizzlies Dillon Brooks also received an ejection after hitting LeBron James in the groin during a Game Three match against the LA Lakers.

What happens after a flagrant 2 foul?

Penalties for the foul include ejections and suspensions for the offending player. A flagrant two foul results in the immediate ejection of the offending player. A player who commits two flagrant one fouls in a basketball game is also ejected from the match.

What is a flagrant 2 foul in college basketball suspension?
Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward/center Greg Lewis (35) gets called for the flagrant foul on Wisconsin Badgers guard/forward Khalil Iverson (21) as the Wisconsin Badgers defeat the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (79-57) at the Kohl Center in Madison, WI. Photo by Dan Sanger/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire.
Source: Getty Images

Additionally, the first and second fouls carry two free throws. The basketball team that was on the receiving end of the foul retains possession.

Do NBA players get fined for flagrant foul 1?

In addition to ejections and suspensions, the NBA can impose a fine on the offending player. According to the NBA rule book, a player who is called for a flagrant foul two can be fined a minimum of $2,000.

Flagrant foul vs technical foul

Is flagrant 2 a technical foul? The NBA defines a technical foul as unsportsmanlike conduct by a player or any member of the team seated on the benches.

How much do NBA players get fined for flagrant 2?
Los Angeles Clippers center Ronny Turiaf takes down Boston Celtics shooting guard Leandro Barbosa in the 2nd quarter, a foul which was reviewed but ruled not flagrant at TD Garden on Sunday, February 3, 2013. Photo by Matthew West/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald.
Source: Getty Images

Compared to a flagrant foul, once a technical foul has been assessed, the offending player may be ejected from the basketball game. However, two technical fouls result in immediate ejection. In addition, once the offence has been called, the offended team receives one free throw.

What is the NCAA definition of flagrant fouls 1 and 2?

The National College Athletic Association defines the FF1 as excessive physical contact in nature that is deemed unnecessary, avoidable, uncalled for and is not required by the circumstances of the game's play. It is penalised by two shots and the ball for the offended team.

How many flagrant fouls can a player get?
Kent State Golden Flashes forward Justyn Hamilton (21) is called for a flagrant foul against Ohio Bobcats forward Jason Carter (30) during the second half of the MAC Mens Basketball Tournament Semifinal game between the Kent State Golden Flashes and Ohio Bobcats on March 11, 2022, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire.
Source: Getty Images

What is a flagrant 2 foul in college basketball? According to the NCAA rules committee, this foul scenario includes brutal, harsh, cruel and dangerous acts intended to punish.

The foul results in two shots and the ball for the team on the receiving end. The offending player is also ejected from the game.

Who leads the NBA in flagrant fouls?

Would you like to find out who has the most flagrant fouls in the NBA? Here is a complete list of basketball players with the highest records in the league in the 2022/23 season.

Player

Team

Violations

Jaylen Brown

Boston Pistons

3

Rudy Gobert

Minnesota Timberwolves

3

Jaden Ivey

Detroit Pistons

3

CJ McCollum

New Orleans Pelicans

3

Russell Westbrook

Los Angeles Clippers

3

Jarrett Allen

Cleveland Cavaliers

2

LaMelo Ball

Charlotte Hornets

2

Scottie Barnes

Toronto Raptors

2

Bojan Bogdanovic

Detroit Pistons

2

Malcolm Brogdon

Boston Celtics

2

Dillon Brooks

Memphis Grizzlies

2

Alec Burks

Detroit Pistons

2

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Denver Nuggets

2

Jordan Clarkson

Utah Jazz

2

Zach Collins

San Antonio Spurs

2

Mike Conley

Minnesota Timberwolves

2

DeMar DeRozan

Chicago Bulls

2

Drew Eubanks

Portland Trail Blazers

2

Markelle Fultz

Orlando Magic

2

Quentin Grimes

New York Knicks

2

Although basketball is a high-contact game, the NBA has taken extra steps to reduce the incidence of unnecessary injuries in players. In addition to defining what a flagrant 2 foul is in the NBA, the league has also tasked its referees to take extra caution in order to flag these violations.

READ ALSO: How long is a basketball match? Duration, match facts, and all the details

Sports Brief recently published an article on rules and regulations that govern the beloved game of basketball. In an effort to keep the spirit of the game while ensuring the safety of players, the National Basketball Association has increased the number of rules in effect.

Click on the link above to learn more about the basic guidelines that dictate how long a match takes.

Authors
Ciku Njuguna photo
Ciku Njuguna
Ciku Njuguna is a journalist with 3 year’s experience in content creation based in Kenya. She currently covers sports personnel as well as team biographies.