Rockets Snap Warriors' Dominance in Thrilling Fashion
In an intense showdown that epitomized the grit and grind of playoff-caliber basketball, the Houston Rockets emerged victorious over the Golden State Warriors with a nail-biting score of 91-90. This win not only ended the Warriors’ daunting 15-game dominance over the Rockets but also propelled Houston into a showdown with the Oklahoma City Thunder in Las Vegas, while unceremoniously eliminating Golden State from the NBA Cup.
The game was a tight contest from the outset, and it fittingly ended in dramatic fashion. With less than four minutes on the clock, the Rockets found themselves trailing by seven points. Yet, in an extraordinary display of tenacity and tactical acumen, Houston managed to score seven consecutive points while keeping the Warriors scoreless for those crucial closing minutes.
A Controversial Call
Jalen Green played a decisive role in the climax, as he was fouled by Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga with a mere 3.1 seconds left on the clock. Green sank both free throws amidst the roaring cheers of Rockets fans, catapulting his team to a slender one-point lead. Further sealing the Warriors’ fate, Jabari Smith blocked a last-second shot attempt by Brandin Podziemski, securing the hard-fought victory for the Rockets.
However, it was a contentious foul call that left Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr fuming and prompted a flurry of critical remarks post-game. "I've never seen a loose ball foul in a jump ball situation 80 feet from the basket with the game on the line," voiced Kerr, visibly frustrated by the decision made by referee Billy Kennedy. Kerr further elaborated on his discontent, "I think I saw it in college one time 30 years ago. Never seen it in the NBA. That is unconscionable."
A Battle Until the Final Buzzer
The game was an embodiment of a "complete wrestling match," as described by the Warriors’ coach, highlighting the intense physicality that underscored the tight encounter. The Rockets, however, not only matched the physicality but capitalized on the momentum shift provided by the controversial call. "You've established you're not going to call anything throughout the game. It’s a physical game and you're gonna call a loose ball foul in a jump ball situation with guys diving on the floor with the game on the line?" Kerr questioned rhetorically, underscoring his appeal to the officiating standards applied during the game.
The Warriors, led by Kerr, believed that their efforts warranted a better outcome. "I feel for our guys. They deserved to win that game or at least have the chance for one stop at the end to finish the game," Kerr lamented, emphasizing the frustration engulfing his team when victory slipped through their grasp due to a contentious decision. "And that was taken from us by a call that I don't think an elementary school referee would have made," he added, in a tone laced with disappointment.
Looking Forward
The emotions were raw post-game, reflecting in Kerr’s passionate declaration, "I’m pissed off. I wanted to go to Las Vegas. We wanted to win this Cup." His sentiments captured the broader disappointment felt within the Warriors' camp, whose aspirations for the NBA Cup were abruptly halted on a night marked by officiating controversies and missed opportunities.
As the Rockets now prepare to face the Thunder, the Warriors go back to the drawing board, pondering what could have been in a game that oscillated on a knife's edge until the final buzzer. The win marks a pivotal moment for the Rockets as they look to further capitalize on this momentum, spirited by the exhilarating victory that has ended their long-standing losing streak against a formidable opponent.