An NBA official explained why Tyrese Maxey’s potential game-winning layup was not reviewed for goaltending in the Philadelphia 76ers’ 128-122 overtime win against the Houston Rockets on Thursday.
Goaltending Could Not Be Reviewed
The matchup went into overtime, but the game should have ended in regulation.
On the final possession in the fourth quarter, Maxey drove by Rockets guard Amen Thompson and laid the ball off the glass. Houston star Kevin Durant then appeared to block the shot.
However, Durant made contact with the ball after it hit the glass, which means it should have been a goaltend.
Tyrese Maxey scores what should be the game-winning layup but the refs mess up and completely miss a clear goaltending (with replays)!
76ers and Rockets commentaries pic.twitter.com/u00E2CUN2K
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) January 23, 2026
Since goaltending was not called on the play, it could not be reviewed, crew chief John Goble said in a pool report with Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“By rule, a goaltending would have to be called on the floor in order for that play to be reviewed,” Goble said. “In real time the officiating crew felt it was a good blocked shot.”
NBA Ref Explains Inadvertent Whistle
Goble was then asked about the inadvertent whistle.
“When the official recognized the timeout request by [Rockets] coach [Ime] Udoka, the official then realized that there was no possession at the time and the timeout could not be granted, and that resulted in an inadvertent whistle.”
Maxey scored six of his 36 points in overtime, while teammate Joel Embiid had 32 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. Kelly Oubre Jr. added 26 points for the Sixers as well.
Paul George returned to the lineup for Philadelphia after missing two straight games due to left knee injury management and had 10 points.
Meanwhile, Durant finished with 36 points and seven rebounds for the Rockets, and Thompson added 17 points. Reed Sheppard ended his outing with 14 points off the bench.
Aaron Holiday (back spasms) was downgraded from questionable to out for the Rockets. Houston also was without center Steven Adams, who remains out indefinitely due to a left ankle sprain.
The 76ers host the New York Knicks on Saturday, while Houston visits the Detroit Pistons on Friday night.
