UPDATE: Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka has unleashed a fierce critique of officiating following his team’s devastating 128-125 overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets on December 4, 2023. Udoka called it “the most poorly officiated game I’ve seen in a long time,” highlighting critical moments that shaped the outcome.
This tightly contested match saw both teams combine for an astonishing 59 free throw attempts, with Denver’s centers Nikola Jokic and Jonas Valanciunas both fouling out. The pivotal moment occurred with just 2.3 seconds remaining in regulation, when a controversial foul was called on Rockets’ player Amen Thompson, allowing Nuggets’ guard Jamal Murray to tie the game from the free-throw line.
Udoka expressed his frustration, stating, “Officials Natalie Sago and Jamahl Ralls have no business being out there. You’re seeing all kinds of inconsistent calls.” His sentiments reflect a growing frustration among fans and players alike regarding officiating standards.
The final moments of regulation were nothing short of chaotic, featuring four ties and four lead changes in 1:40. Overtime saw the Nuggets surge ahead with a 124-117 lead, but the Rockets fought back, narrowing the gap to just three points with 13 seconds left. However, a missed three-pointer by Alperen Sengun sealed Houston’s fate.
Murray, who scored 35 points and went 14-of-15 from the charity stripe, acknowledged the challenge of officiating in such a physical game, stating, “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.”
Jokic dominated with an impressive 39 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, marking his NBA-leading 12th triple-double of the season. Sengun led the Rockets with a triple-double of his own, scoring 33 points and adding 10 assists and 10 rebounds.
This loss marks the third consecutive road defeat for Houston, while the Nuggets, even without two starters in Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun, solidified their standing in the Western Conference, now holding sole possession of second place at 19-6.
The Rockets will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next matchup, while Denver seeks to maintain momentum in the race for the top seed against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
As the controversy surrounding the officiating continues, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely for the Rockets’ response in their upcoming games. This developing story is sure to spark debate in the days to come.
