Referee Clarifies Controversial Foul in Warriors’ NBA Cup Defeat
Steve Kerr expressed frustration over a late foul call that impacted the Warriors’ NBA Cup game against the Rockets, leading to a narrow loss.
Warriors, NBA Cup, Houston Rockets, Steve Kerr, Jalen Green, Klay Thompson, Golden State, California
Houston: So, the Warriors had a tough night against the Rockets, right? It all came down to a pretty controversial foul call that had everyone buzzing.
Steve Kerr, the Warriors’ coach, was really fired up after the game. He spent a good chunk of his press conference venting about the officiating. You could tell he was frustrated.
The call that got everyone talking was on Jonathan Kuminga. With just 3.1 seconds left, he was called for a foul while both teams were scrambling for a loose ball. It was a wild moment.
When asked about it, the crew chief, Billy Kennedy, said there was contact with the neck and shoulder area, which warranted the foul. But Kerr was having none of it.
He said he’d never seen a loose-ball foul called in such a crucial moment, especially so far from the basket. He felt it was a bad call that shouldn’t have decided the game.
Kerr pointed out that the game was already super physical, and they hadn’t been calling much all night. He was really upset that they decided to make that call when it mattered most.
In the end, the Rockets got two free throws from Jalen Green, which he made, sealing a 91-90 win over the Warriors. Ouch!
Now, instead of heading to Las Vegas for the NBA Cup semifinals, the Warriors are heading home to face the Mavericks. Talk about a rollercoaster!
It’s safe to say that Kerr and Kennedy won’t be sharing any holiday cheer anytime soon.