Gritty Rockets Eliminate Warriors from NBA Cup on Controversial Call
The Rockets edged out the Warriors in a tense quarterfinal, thanks to a controversial foul call that shifted the game’s momentum.
Houston, Golden State, NBA Cup, Jalen Green, Stephen Curry, Steve Kerr
Houston: The Rockets pulled off a nail-biter against the Warriors in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. It was a tough, physical game that had fans buzzing. Everyone was hoping for more grit, and boy, did they get it.
With just seconds left, the Warriors were in a good spot. They were up by one, and Stephen Curry had a chance to seal the deal with a three-pointer. But when he missed, a loose ball led to a questionable foul call that changed everything.
Jalen Green stepped up and sank two free throws, putting the Rockets ahead. Then, Jabari Smith Jr. blocked a last-second shot from the Warriors, sealing the win for Houston at 91-90. It was a real grind, but they made it to the semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
After the game, Steve Kerr was not happy. He called the foul on Jonathan Kuminga “unconscionable.” He felt it was a call that even a rookie ref wouldn’t make. But Kerr also knew his team had other issues. They didn’t score in the last three minutes, which hurt them big time.
The Warriors had a solid lead but let it slip away. They struggled with turnovers, especially in the first half, which gave the Rockets easy points. But they turned things around in the third quarter, playing smarter and attacking the Rockets’ defense.
Sengun was a standout for Houston, racking up 26 points and 11 rebounds. The Rockets aren’t known for their shooting, and it showed, but they got the job done. The Warriors, on the other hand, need to rethink their strategy if they want to stay competitive.
Houston is a young team on the rise, and this win is a big step for them. It might not have been pretty, but it’s a win, and they’re moving in the right direction.