In a compelling showdown that could easily be described as thrilling and controversial, the Houston Rockets managed to break a significant losing streak against the Golden State Warriors by clinching a narrow win with a final score of 91-90. This victory, laden with drama in its closing moments, not only ended the Rockets’ 15-game losing streak against the Warriors but also propelled them into a matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder in Las Vegas while simultaneously eliminating the Warriors from the NBA Cup.
Dramatic Finish
The Rockets found themselves trailing by seven points with under four minutes left on the clock. However, they leveled the playing field by scoring seven points and effectively keeping the Warriors scoreless in the final three minutes of the game. The critical moment came when Jalen Green was fouled by Jonathan Kuminga with just 3.1 seconds remaining, a decision that sparked heated debate.
Jalen Green, unflustered in the face of immense pressure, converted both free throws, granting the Rockets a slender one-point advantage. This turn of events was finalized when Jabari Smith executed a pivotal block on Brandin Podziemski's shot attempt, securing the win for the Rockets. The decisive foul call and the subsequent free throws were topics of much discussion, particularly from the perspective of the Warriors’ camp.
Controversial Call
Referee Billy Kennedy’s call on Jonathan Kuminga was based on contact deemed as involving the neck and shoulder area. Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr expressed his indignation over the call with unrestrained candor. Kerr lamented, "I've never seen a loose ball foul in a jump ball situation 80 feet from the basket with the game on the line." His frustration was palpable as he relayed, "I've never seen that. I think I saw it in college one time 30 years ago. Never seen it in the NBA. That is unconscionable."
Kerr's criticism didn't stop there. He felt that the opportunity was unfairly taken from his players, arguing, "I feel for our guys. They deserved to win that game or at least have the chance for one stop at the end to finish the game. And that was taken from us by a call that I don't think an elementary school referee would have made." Kerr questioned the consistency of officiating, noting, "You've established you're not going to call anything throughout the game. It’s a physical game and you're gonna call a loose ball foul in a jump ball situation with guys diving on the floor with the game on the line?"
Physical Battle
It was a game characterized by intense physicality, a sentiment echoed by the Warriors’ coach who described the match as a "complete wrestling match." The Rockets, however, managed to capitalize on the conditions, turning the tide in their favor in the dying moments of the encounter.
The victory was not just a significant morale booster for the Rockets, breaking a lengthy losing spell against the Warriors, but also an important step forward in the tournament. Yet, the shadow of controversy over the game's officiating lingered, with Kerr's disappointment evident. "I’m pissed off. I wanted to go to Las Vegas. We wanted to win this Cup," he confessed.
This match will likely be remembered not just for its climactic finish, but also for the discussion it spurred on refereeing decisions at pivotal moments. As the Rockets gear up to face the Oklahoma City Thunder, questions remain regarding the future of the Warriors in the NBA Cup, shadowed by what their coach views as an unjust ending.