UPDATE: Houston Rockets head 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. Udoka labeled the game as “the most poorly officiated” he has witnessed in years, igniting controversy in the aftermath of the closely contested matchup.
The heated exchange comes after a game filled with tension, where both teams combined for a staggering 59 free throw attempts. Notably, the Nuggets saw their two centers, Nikola Jokic and Jonas Valanciunas, foul out, leading to critical moments that defined the game’s outcome.
With only 2.3 seconds left in regulation and the Nuggets trailing 117-116, a pivotal call was made against Rockets guard Amen Thompson, who was penalized for a foul away from the play. Despite Houston challenging the call, it stood, allowing Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray to sink a free throw to tie the score. “Just in general, I think it was the most poorly officiated game I’ve seen in a long time,” Udoka stated post-game, singling out officials Natalie Sago and Jamahl Ralls for their performance.
“You’re seeing all kind of inconsistent calls, and I’m sure we should’ve gotten a few more techs,” Udoka added, highlighting the frustration that permeated among his players.
The final minutes of regulation were a whirlwind of excitement, featuring four ties and four lead changes in just 1:40. In overtime, the Nuggets managed to gain a 124-117 lead after a crucial three-pointer from Spencer Jones with 2:59 remaining. However, the Rockets fought back, narrowing the deficit to three points with the ball and just 13 seconds left on the clock. A missed contested three-pointer from Alperen Sengun with 4.9 seconds remaining sealed Houston’s fate.
Murray shared his thoughts on the officiating, acknowledging the challenges referees face in such a physical game, stating, “It’s tough for the refs to call both sides, like, dead even. 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.” His perspective reflects the complexity of the game and the scrutiny that officials often endure.
In terms of individual performances, Jokic dominated with 39 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, marking his NBA-leading 12th triple-double. Murray contributed significantly with 35 points, hitting 14-of-15 from the free-throw line. For the Rockets, Sengun led with a triple-double of his own, scoring 33 points, alongside Kevin Durant, who added 25 points and multiple assists and blocks.
The Nuggets, already missing two starters in Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Christian Braun (ankle), also had to cope without starting guard Peyton Watson, who left early in the first quarter due to a right trunk contusion. This hard-fought victory places the Nuggets in sole possession of second place in the Western Conference, standing at 19-6 and trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder by 4.5 games.
As the Rockets reflect on this tough loss, fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how Udoka’s criticism of the officiating impacts future games. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
