UPDATE: Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka has unleashed a fierce critique of officiating following his team’s 128-125 overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets on December 4, 2023. In a post-game interview, Udoka declared it “the most poorly officiated game I’ve seen in a long time,” highlighting the intense pressure of a game that featured 59 free throw attempts combined for both teams.
The game turned dramatic in the final moments of regulation. With just 2.3 seconds left and the Nuggets trailing 117-116, a critical foul was called on Rockets’ player Amen Thompson for allegedly tripping Tim Hardaway Jr. away from the play. Despite a challenge from Houston, the call was upheld, allowing Jamal Murray to tie the score with a free throw, setting the stage for overtime.
Udoka did not hold back his frustration, stating that officials Natalie Sago and Jamahl Ralls “have no business being out there,” and accused crew chief Zach Zarba of being “starstruck.” He emphasized the inconsistency of calls throughout the game, suggesting that the Rockets were due for more technical fouls.
“I think, in general, it was the most poorly officiated game I’ve seen in a long time,” Udoka said.
The final moments of regulation saw four ties and lead changes within just 1:40, illustrating the game’s nail-biting competitiveness. In overtime, the Nuggets surged ahead to a 124-117 lead thanks to a crucial three-pointer from Spencer Jones with 2:59 left. The Rockets managed to close the gap but ultimately fell short when Alperen Sengun missed a contested three-pointer with just 4.9 seconds remaining, securing the victory for Denver.
After the game, Murray commented on the officiating, acknowledging the difficulties referees face in a physically demanding game. “It’s tough for the refs to call both sides, like, dead even,” he noted. “I think they missed some calls on our end, and they missed some calls on their end, so I don’t really think that was an issue tonight.”
Nuggets star Nikola Jokic delivered an outstanding performance, finishing with 39 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists for his NBA-leading 12th triple-double. Murray added 35 points while going an impressive 14-of-15 from the free throw line. For the Rockets, Sengun led with 33 points, marking his first triple-double of the season.
The defeat marks the Rockets’ third consecutive road loss, leaving them in a challenging position as they seek to bounce back. Meanwhile, the Nuggets, despite missing two starters in Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun, now sit in sole possession of second place in the Western Conference with a record of 19-6 and trail the Oklahoma City Thunder by 4.5 games.
As the Rockets regroup and prepare for their next match, all eyes will be on potential changes in strategy following this heated encounter and Udoka’s biting remarks on officiating. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.