UPDATE: Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka did not hold back in his criticism of officiating following his team’s 128-125 overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets on December 4, 2023. Udoka described the game as “the most poorly officiated game I’ve seen in a long time,” highlighting a controversial foul call that he believes shifted the game’s momentum.
The matchup was marked by a staggering 59 free throw attempts combined from both teams, with Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and teammate Jonas Valanciunas both fouling out. The pivotal moment occurred with just 2.3 seconds left in regulation when Rockets rookie Amen Thompson was called for a foul away from the play, allowing Jamal Murray to tie the game with a free throw.
“Just in general, I think, most poorly officiated game I’ve seen in a long time,” Udoka stated post-game, directing his ire towards officials Natalie Sago and Jamahl Ralls. “[Crew chief Zach Zarba] was acting starstruck. You’re seeing all kind of inconsistent calls, and I’m sure we should’ve gotten a few more techs.”
The final moments of regulation were chaotic, featuring four ties and lead changes in under two minutes. In overtime, the Nuggets surged ahead to a 124-117 lead, but the Rockets rallied back, closing the gap to three points with under 14 seconds remaining. However, Alperen Sengun missed a crucial 24-foot three-pointer, sealing the Rockets’ fate.
“It’s a physical game,” Murray reflected on the officiating, noting the difficulty for refs to consistently call fouls on both sides. “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 delivered a stellar performance with 39 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, marking his NBA-leading 12th triple-double of the season. Murray added 35 points, going 14-of-15 from the free-throw line. For the Rockets, Sengun led with 33 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds for his first triple-double of the year, while Kevin Durant chipped in with 25 points and key defensive plays.
This loss marks the Rockets’ third consecutive defeat on the road. Meanwhile, the Nuggets, despite being down two starters, managed to claim victory, securing second place in the Western Conference with a record of 19-6, now 4.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top seed.
As both teams prepare for their next matchups, all eyes will be on the ongoing discussions surrounding officiating standards in the league. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if changes will be made in response to the growing frustrations voiced by coaches like Udoka.
