Rockets End Warriors' Streak in Nail-Biter, Secure Place Against Thunder
In a game that exemplified the intense competitiveness of the NBA Cup, the Houston Rockets emerged victorious over the Golden State Warriors with a narrow 91-90 win. For the Warriors, this defeat marks the end of a strenuous 15-game losing streak against the Rockets, a streak punctuated in a game full of drama and tension.
The matchup, held under the bright lights, was expected to be a tightly contested affair based on the recent history between these two teams. The Warriors were leading by seven points as the clock ticked under the four-minute mark. However, they found themselves unable to score in the final three minutes, a lapse that cost them dearly. Seizing the moment, the Rockets tallied seven straight points, bringing the game to a nail-biting conclusion.
An Intensely Physical Battle
The physical nature of the game did not go unnoticed, with Warriors coach Steve Kerr candidly describing the match as a "complete wrestling match." It was in this challenging environment that the decisive moments unfolded. With just 3.1 seconds remaining, Rockets’ Jalen Green found himself fouled by Jonathan Kuminga. Displaying remarkable composure, Green converted both free throws to snatch a one-point lead for Houston.
As the Warriors attempted to salvage the game in its dying moments, Jabari Smith executed a critical block against Brandin Podziemski's desperate shot attempt, securing the Rockets' advancement to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in Las Vegas and simultaneously eliminating the Warriors from the NBA Cup.
Kerr's Expressions of Frustration
Kerr did not hold back in expressing his discontent over the officiating, particularly spotlighting the foul call on Kuminga. A visibly upset Kerr said, "I've never seen a loose ball foul in a jump ball situation 80 feet from the basket with the game on the line." Continuing his critique of the officiating, he added, "I think I saw it in college one time 30 years ago. Never seen it in the NBA. That is unconscionable."
The Warriors coach further expanded on his frustrations, noting the inconsistency he perceived in officiating throughout the game. "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?" he remarked, underscoring his exasperation.
Warriors' Dreams Dashed
Despite the bitter loss, Kerr empathized with his players, who battled fiercely until the end. "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."
The defeat was a particularly hard pill to swallow for Kerr and his team, who had ambitions of reaching Las Vegas and clinching the NBA Cup. "I’m pissed off," Kerr admitted candidly. "I wanted to go to Las Vegas. We wanted to win this Cup."
Looking Ahead
While the Rockets celebrate their hard-fought victory and prepare to face the Thunder, the Warriors are left to reflect on what might have been. This game will likely remain a talking point, not only for the enthralling finish but also for the contentious officiating decisions. Both teams now carry lessons learned into the remainder of the season, as the NBA Cup's stakes and excitement underscore the high-caliber competition that defines professional basketball.