When history looks back at the Milwaukee Bucks‘ 2025 playoff run, Game 4 against the Indiana Pacers might be remembered less for the basketball itself and more for the chaos that swallowed it whole. Injuries, emotions, and officiating controversies collided all at once. But if there’s one thing that really set Bucks fans ablaze, it was one familiar name: Tony Brothers.

Already reeling from a 2–1 series deficit, Milwaukee’s situation worsened when Damian Lillard went down with what’s feared to be a season-ending Achilles injury. The energy visibly drained from the Bucks, but frustration soon took over, and it wasn’t just aimed at the Pacers.

Tensions boiled over when Tyrese Haliburton earned two free throws after a challenge from Bobby Portis at the rim. On replay, Portis clearly went vertical, absorbing Haliburton’s momentum rather than committing a foul. Yet the whistle blew — and who else but Tony Brothers was right there making the call.

It didn’t end there. Bobby Portis, embodying every ounce of Milwaukee’s anger, started chirping. After Haliburton missed one of his free throws, Portis shouted, “Ball don’t lie!” — a raw, unfiltered eruption that perfectly captured the mood of the Bucks and their fans. But that passion came at a price: Portis was hit with a technical foul for taunting.

Portis and Aaron Nesmith got into it after a drive to the basket. Kevin Porter Jr. exchanged words with Nesmith earlier in the second quarter. Even Ryan Rollins and Jarace Walker were handed technicals later on. Yet somehow, amidst all this, fans felt that the referees, particularly Brothers, kept inserting themselves at the worst possible moments.

The Bucks now sit in a 3-1 series hole, fighting not just the Pacers, but the perception that the deck has been stacked against them.

Fans Erupt Over Tony Brothers’ Influence

Bucks fans didn’t hold back their emotions after the final whistle. “Bucks are 1-3 with Tony Brothers officiating their games. Coincidence? I think not. He’s a fraud,” one furious fan posted — and thousands agreed. The frustration isn’t just because of one game. It’s a trend. Historically, teams have raised alarms about Tony Brothers’ officiating during critical playoff moments. In the Bucks’ series alone, questionable calls in tight moments have swung momentum the wrong way. The growing pattern makes it hard for fans to believe it’s all just bad luck.

The resentment toward Brothers stretches beyond Milwaukee. One Luka Doncic fan fired off: “Tony Brothers has been hateful towards Luka for years… Luka gets slapped, hacked, shoved and doesn’t get the amount of calls he should and people wonder why he complains.” That anger isn’t unfounded either. Just weeks ago, Doncic was ejected in a Lakers-Thunder game where Brothers was the crew chief — only for the NBA to later rescind one of his technical fouls, admitting the ejection was unjust.

It followed other past incidents, like Spencer Dinwiddie accusing Brothers of calling him a “b—- a– mother——“ during a 2022 game. There’s a mountain of receipts here, and fans haven’t forgotten a single one.

Another fan didn’t mince words, writing: “@NBA fire Tony Brothers or force him to retire. Sh– is ridiculous. I’ve never seen a ref take over more games than Tony Brothers.” Love him or hate him, Tony Brothers has been one of the most visible referees in the NBA for over 25 years. He’s officiated more than 1,600 games and dozens of playoff series.

Yet the 2023 player survey by The Athletic said it all: he was named both one of the best and one of the worst referees by NBA players themselves. Some players appreciate his straight-up attitude. But just as many say he “takes everything personally,” making games feel more about the referees than the players.

That polarizing reputation hit a boiling point Sunday night in Indiana. The final verdict from many fans? “Tony Brothers is the worst ref in the league and it isn’t close.” Now, to be fair, Brothers isn’t alone on the list of controversial NBA referees. Scott Foster, for example, was crowned the “worst” in that same 2023 survey, nicknamed “The Extender” for allegedly pushing playoff series to more games. And guys like Joey Crawford and Bennett Salvatore had their own fair share of infamous moments before retiring.

Still, for Bucks fans right now, no other name stings quite like Tony Brothers.

When the smoke clears on this series, the Milwaukee Bucks might find themselves facing a painful offseason reckoning. But for now, the scars of Game 4 run much deeper than just the final score. A franchise chasing a championship is now grappling with anger, heartbreak, and the lingering feeling that the system failed them when it mattered most. And for better or worse, Tony Brothers is right in the middle of it all.