Ime Udoka Rips Refs in Rockets' Loss as Nikola Jokic, Alperen Sengun Make NBA History
Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka was less than pleased with the officiating in his team's 128-125 overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday night.
"Just in general, I think, most poorly officiated game I've seen in a long time," he told reporters after the game. "[Officials Natalie Sago and Jamahl Ralls] have no business being out there, and [crew chief Zach Zarba] was acting starstruck. You're seeing all kind of inconsistent calls, and I'm sure we should've gotten a few more techs."
Refereeing aside, fans were treated to a dramatic contest between two contenders in the Western Conference. Denver's Nikola Jokić (39 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists) and Alperen Şengün (33 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) also made history by combining to be the first two centers to have triple-doubles in the same game.
The refs were liberal with the whistle throughout the contest. Denver and Houston combined to commit 53 fouls, which resulted in 59 total free throws.
Udoka may have stayed mostly quiet about the officiating if it hadn't been for a contentious call on Rockets guard Amen Thompson toward the end of regulation.
The refs deemed that Thompson tripped up Denver's Tim Hardaway Jr. on an inbounds play with just 2.3 seconds left, and the call was upheld after a coach's challenge. A slowed-down replay showed Thompson making slight contact with Hardaway's leg.
The call sent Nuggets guard Jamal Murray to the charity stripe, and he sank one free throw to force overtime.
Beyond that sequence, Udoka also asserted Rockets star Kevin Durant "probably should've had seven or eight" blocks instead of the five he recorded.
Public criticism of the referees almost always draws a fine in the NBA, and Udoka won't be an exception given his particularly pointed comments. He can expect to write a sizable check to the league office.
