Imagine this: the final seconds of an NBA overtime thriller, the score is tight, and the outcome hangs in the balance. But here's where it gets controversial—three crucial calls go against the Houston Rockets, all in favor of the Denver Nuggets, who ultimately clinch the win by a mere three points. Was it a case of human error, or something more?
In a heart-wrenching loss for the Rockets, the NBA's Last Two Minutes (L2M) report revealed three incorrect officiating decisions during Monday’s overtime showdown in Denver. Updated on December 16, 2025, at 4:55 p.m. CT, the report confirmed what Rockets head coach Ime Udoka passionately criticized postgame—the officiating had indeed tilted the scales.
And this is the part most people miss: the specifics of these missed calls and their direct impact on the game’s outcome. Let’s break it down:
With 1:40 remaining, Kevin Durant executed a clean block on Nikola Jokic’s shot. However, Durant was incorrectly called for a shooting foul, sending Jokic to the free-throw line. Jokic made both shots, giving the Nuggets two undeserved points. The NBA’s review confirmed that Durant’s block was legal, and the Rockets should have retained possession.
At the 1:08 mark, with the Rockets in the bonus, Tim Hardaway Jr. made clear body contact with Alperen Sengun while battling for a rebound. No foul was called, denying Sengun—and the Rockets—two critical free throws. Instead, Denver gained possession, effectively robbing Houston of a scoring opportunity.
With just 47.2 seconds left, Amen Thompson cleanly stripped the ball from Jamal Murray. However, the ensuing contact was incorrectly ruled a foul, sending Murray to the line for two successful free throws. The L2M report clarified that the contact was minimal and should not have resulted in a foul call.
Here’s the kicker: these missed calls directly contributed four points to the Nuggets’ total while denying the Rockets two additional free throws. In a game decided by three points, this discrepancy is impossible to ignore. Houston’s overtime loss wasn’t just a matter of missed shots or defensive lapses—it was, in part, a result of officiating errors.
While all other calls in the final two minutes of regulation and overtime were deemed correct, the impact of these three mistakes is undeniable. Does this mean the Rockets were robbed of a win? Or is it simply a reminder of the fallibility of human officiating in high-stakes games?
This controversy raises broader questions about the role of officiating in the NBA and whether technology or additional oversight could prevent such game-altering errors. What do you think? Was this just a bad night for the refs, or is there a deeper issue at play? Let’s debate it in the comments—your take could spark the next big conversation in basketball.
