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Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was fed up with the way the team’s overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets was handled on Monday night.
Nuggets star Nikola Jokic scored 39 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and dished out 10 assists in the 128-125 victory. Udoka expressed his dismay with the team that was calling the game, including the free throws that Jamal Murray received to tie the game at the end of regulation after an off-ball foul on Houston’s Amen Thompson.
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Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, right, talks with guard Josh Okogie (20) in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
“Ticky tack,” Udoka said of the called foul that gave Murray the free throw opportunities. “I continued with the game tonight. I wasn’t surprised by the team we had there.
“Overall, I think it was as poorly refereed a game as I’ve seen in a long time,” he added. “They both have no business being out there and the crew chief was acting starstruck. I’ve seen all kinds of inconsistent calls. I’m sure we should have hired a few more technicians.”
The Rockets were charged with 25 fouls and the Nuggets with 28. However, Denver had 33 free throw attempts compared to Houston’s 26. Jokic and Jonas Valanciunas were eliminated for fouls.
Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard, front, right, steals a pass intended for Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, as Houston center Steven Adams tracks the play in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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The final 1:40 of regulation featured four ties and four lead changes, culminating in Thompson fouling Murray, who had 35 points, five assists and three rebounds.
Denver had a seven-point lead in overtime, but Houston got within three points with 13 seconds left in the game. Alperen Sengun missed a contested 24-foot 3-pointer with 4.9 seconds left. Sengun scored 33 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds.
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant, right, passes the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Spencer Jones defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Kevin Durant added 25 points, seven assists, five rebounds and five blocks.
