UPDATE: Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka has publicly criticized officiating after his team suffered a devastating 128-125 overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets on December 11, 2023. Udoka labeled the game as “the most poorly officiated game I’ve seen in a long time,” following a series of controversial calls that left fans and players alike in disbelief.
The game was tightly contested, with both teams combining for an astounding 59 free throw attempts. In a pivotal moment, the Nuggets’ two centers, Nikola Jokic and Jonas Valanciunas, both fouled out, escalating the tension on the court. The most crucial call occurred with just 2.3 seconds left in regulation. The Nuggets were trailing 117-116 when Amen Thompson was whistled 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, criticizing officials Natalie Sago and Jamahl Ralls for their performance. “You’re seeing all kinds 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 four lead changes in less than two minutes. In overtime, the Nuggets surged to a 124-117 lead after a crucial three-pointer from Spencer Jones. The Rockets fought back, narrowing the gap to just three points with 13 seconds left. However, Alperen Sengun missed a contested 24-foot three-pointer, sealing the Rockets’ fate.
Despite the loss, Sengun had a standout performance with 33 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds, achieving his first triple-double of the season. For the Nuggets, Jokic dominated with 39 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, marking his NBA-leading 12th triple-double of the season. Murray added 35 points, going an impressive 14-of-15 at the free-throw line.
The matchup saw the Nuggets playing without two key starters, Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Christian Braun (ankle), as well as guard Peyton Watson, who exited early due to a right trunk contusion. The victory propelled the Nuggets to sole possession of second place in the Western Conference with a record of 19-6, only 4.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top seed.
As the Rockets face their third consecutive road loss, all eyes will be on their next game as they seek to bounce back from this heart-wrenching defeat. Fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how Udoka and his team respond to the ongoing challenges, including their concerns over officiating.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
