The NBA issued Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka a $25,000 fine on Wednesday for public criticism of the officiating after Monday night’s 128-125 overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets.
Rockets Coach Ime Udoka Called Out Refs
With 2.3 seconds remaining in regulation and Denver down 117-116, before the Nuggets could inbound the ball for the final possession, Amen Thompson was called for a foul away from the play after he appeared to trip Tim Hardaway Jr.
The Rockets challenged the call, but it was upheld.
“Just in general, I think, most poorly officiated game I’ve seen in a long time,” Udoka said 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.”
The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/2aWGmVcrqe
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 17, 2025
Ime Udoka with his thoughts on the #Rockets OT loss to the Nuggets
It’s a must listen.@HoustonRockets play Denver again on Saturday pic.twitter.com/jzY0qff5mV
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) December 16, 2025
In overtime, Denver took a 124-117 lead after a Spencer Jones hit a 3-pointer with 2:59 remaining, but the Rockets stayed within three points and held possession with 13 seconds remaining.
However, Alperen Sengun missed a contested 24-foot 3 with 4.9 seconds remaining, allowing the Nuggets to hold on for their fifth win in a row and their first home victory since Nov. 8.
“I mean, it’s a physical game,” Jamal Murray said after the game of the officiating, per The Denver Post. “It’s tough for the refs to call both sides, like, dead even. I think they missed some calls on our end, and they missed some calls on their end, so I don’t really think that was an issue tonight.”
NBA Acknowledged Three Incorrect Calls
According to the NBA’s Last Two Minute Report, the league said officials made three incorrect calls that favored the Nuggets in the last two minutes of the game.
Fouls against Houston’s Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson should not have been called, and one against the Nuggets’ Tim Hardaway Jr. should have been.
Durant was called for a foul after blocking Nikola Jokic’s shot attempt with 1:40 left in overtime, which gave the three-time MVP a pair of free throws that kept Denver ahead 126-121.
The NBA confirmed in its report Tuesday that it was a clean block.
In addition, Hardaway was never whistled for shoving Alperen Sengun with just over one minute left, which should’ve resulted in a loose ball foul, according to the report.
Lastly, with 47 seconds left and the Nuggets up 126-122, Thompson should not have been called for a personal foul against Jamal Murray on a steal attempt. The call resulted in two free throws for Murray.
The Rockets (16-7) visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday, while the Nuggets (19-6) host the Orlando Magic on the same day. Houston has won six of its last 10 games.
