Rockets End 15-Game Skid, Defeat Warriors 91-90 After Controversial Call

Dec 12, 2024, 05:19 AM

The Houston Rockets defeated the Golden State Warriors 91-90 in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, ending a 15-game losing streak against the Warriors dating back to February 2020. Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists. The Rockets finished the game on a 9-1 run over the final 3:23, with their defense forcing six shot clock violations throughout the game. The game was decided in the final seconds after a controversial loose-ball foul was called on the Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga with 3.5 seconds left, sending Jalen Green to the free-throw line for the game-winning points. The Warriors had no field goals in the final 3:37 and squandered a six-point lead in the last 77 seconds. Warriors coach Steve Kerr expressed frustration with the officiating, calling the foul "unconscionable" and stating it was something an "elementary school referee wouldn't have called." The Rockets advance to the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas to face the Oklahoma City Thunder.