NBA Acknowledges Three Key Officiating Errors in Nuggets vs. Rockets Game
The Denver Nuggets took advantage of questionable officiating to defeat the Houston Rockets, snapping a four-game home losing streak and improving to 19-6 on the season, securing their place as the second-best team in the Western Conference.
The Nuggets clinched a tight overtime victory, and after the game, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was blunt in his criticism of the refereeing, calling it the “most poorly officiated game I’ve seen in a long time.”
As expected, the NBA’s Last Two Minute Report backed up Udoka’s complaints, admitting that three significant officiating mistakes were made in overtime, all of which favored the Nuggets.
Kevin Durant’s Clean Block on Jokic Not Called
With 1:40 remaining in overtime and the Nuggets up by three, Nikola Jokic attempted to increase Denver’s lead by driving to the basket. Rockets star Kevin Durant cleanly blocked Jokic’s layup attempt, but the officials called a shooting foul, sending Jokic to the free-throw line.
Jokic made both free throws, extending the Nuggets’ lead to five points, but the NBA clarified that there should not have been a foul called.
“Durant (HOU) cleanly blocks Jokic’s (DEN) shot attempt,” the NBA’s statement said.
Tim Hardaway Jr. Gets Away With a Push
The next error occurred with 1:08 left in overtime, as the Nuggets led by four. After a missed shot by the Rockets’ Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun went up for the offensive rebound, but Nuggets guard Tim Hardaway Jr. shoved him from behind, securing the rebound for Denver and denying the Rockets another possession.
Despite the clear contact, the referees did not call a foul. The NBA later confirmed that the play should have been whistled as a foul.
“Hardaway Jr. (DEN) extends his arms into Sengun’s (HOU) body and delivers contact that affects his pursuit of the rebound,” the report stated.
Amen Thompson’s “Foul” on Jamal Murray
With 47 seconds remaining in overtime and the Nuggets still ahead by four, Thompson had the opportunity to either steal the ball from Jamal Murray or force a backcourt violation, giving the Rockets possession. However, after Thompson poked the ball away from Murray, the referees called a foul on Thompson, sending Murray to the free-throw line.
Murray made both free throws, pushing the Nuggets’ lead to six, but the NBA confirmed that the foul call was incorrect.
“Thompson (HOU) dislodges the ball from Murray (DEN), and the ensuing body contact that occurs as Murray secures the loose ball is marginal,” the report explained.
Despite these officiating errors in the final moments of overtime, the Nuggets’ victory was still deserved, as they played a strong and well-earned game.
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