NBA L2M: Refs Correctly Called Foul on Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga in Loss to Rockets

An NBA officiating review concluded that referees were correct to call a foul on Jonathan Kuminga in the final seconds of the Golden State Warriors' 91-90 Wednesday loss to the Houston Rockets.

The Last Two Minute Report released by the league on Thursday stated that Kuminga "pulls his shoulder down" when reaching over Rockets guard Jalen Green with 3.5 seconds remaining on the clock.

The Warriors were leading by one point at the time of the foul. Green hit both ensuing free throws to seal the Rockets' win.

Golden State led by six points with three minutes left before the Rockets climbed back within one point.

Steph Curry missed a step-back jumpshot attempt from 24 feet out with 11 seconds remaining.

In the final seconds, Rockets guard Fred VanVleet grappled with Warriors guard Gary Payton II for the ball seconds before the foul was called on Kuminga.

The Last Two Minute Report deemed that a "correct non-call," writing that VanVleet made "clean contact with the ball."

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who was visibly frustrated by the foul on Kuminga, said after the game that he had "never seen" a call like the one that ended up deciding Wednesday night's game.

"I've never seen a loose ball foul on a jump ball situation, 80 feet from the basket with the game on the line," Kerr told reporters after the game, per ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. "I've never seen that. I think I saw it in college one time 30 years ago. Never seen it in the NBA. That is, I mean, unconscionable."

"I don't even understand what just happened. Loose ball, diving on the floor, 80 feet from the basket, and you're going to give a guy two free throws to decide the game when people are scrambling for the ball. Just give them a timeout and let the players decide the game. That's how you officiate."

The Rockets had lost their previous 15 games against the Warriors heading into the matchup.

After defeating Golden State for the first time since February 2020, Houston advanced to the semifinals of the NBA Cup. Kerr and the Warriors have yet to make it to the semifinals in two editions of the in-season tournament.