In a dramatic turn of events, the Houston Rockets terminated their 15-game losing streak against the Golden State Warriors with a nail-biting 91-90 victory. The win not only propelled the Rockets forward in the NBA Cup to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in Las Vegas, but it also brought an end to the Warriors' journey in the tournament. In a contest fraught with tension, the Warriors were left to grapple with a bitter finish, overshadowed by controversy and hard-hitting critiques from their head coach, Steve Kerr.
Down to the Wire
The Warriors seemed poised to break their own streak, holding a seven-point lead with under four minutes remaining on the clock. However, the Rockets orchestrated a remarkable comeback, scoring seven unanswered points while stifling the Warriors' offense for the final stretches of the game. The pivotal moment arrived when Jalen Green was fouled by Jonathan Kuminga with just 3.1 seconds left on the game clock. Green showed poise under pressure, calmly netting both free throws to edge the Rockets ahead by one point.
Steve Kerr, the Warriors' coach, did not mince words in expressing his incredulity at the call made in such a crucial game situation. "I've never seen a loose ball foul in a jump ball situation 80 feet from the basket with the game on the line," Kerr remarked. His critique of the officiating didn't stop there, as he added, "I think I saw it in college one time 30 years ago. Never seen it in the NBA. That is unconscionable."
Physical Play and Endgame Drama
The match itself unfolded like a "complete wrestling match," a sentiment that Kerr reiterated in the aftermath. The players on both sides battled intensely, with physicality becoming a theme throughout the night. Despite the bruising play, the Rockets capitalized on their final opportunity, demonstrating resilience and composure in the closing moments. With the Warriors desperate for a final shot to regain control, Jabari Smith's key defensive play—an emphatic block on Brandin Podziemski's shot attempt—sealed the victory for Houston.
Referee Billy Kennedy offered an explanation for the contentious call on Kuminga, citing contact with the neck and shoulder area. Yet, Kerr was adamant that the game deserved a different denouement. "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," he passionately stated.
Kerr's Frustration Boils Over
For Kerr, the defeat was not merely about a loss in a single game. It symbolized a missed opportunity to pursue success in the NBA Cup—a goal that had evidently been a driving force for the team. "I’m pissed off. I wanted to go to Las Vegas. We wanted to win this Cup," Kerr fumed, his disappointment unmistakable.
The Rockets now carry momentum into their next matchup against the Thunder, buoyed by their triumph and the prospect of continuing their journey in the Cup. For the Warriors, this defeat marks a moment of reflection, as they ponder how a game that seemed within their grasp slipped away, and as they consider the lasting impact of one defining call in a hard-fought contest. The NBA, as always, remains an arena where dramas unfold not just in points scored, but in the heated, passionate exchanges that define the essence of competition.