The Golden State Warriors were eliminated from the Emirates NBA Cup, falling one step short of making it to Las Vegas, a heartbreaking result.
With 3.5 seconds left and the Warriors leading the Houston Rockets 90-89, Jonathan Kuminga was called for a loose ball foul and Jaylen Green was sent to the line for two free throws. Green sank both and the Rockets won 91-90.
Houston takes the lead after this wild sequence 😱 pic.twitter.com/vg6xPLZUBx
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 12, 2024
The foul call after a scramble for a loose ball was questionable no matter how you look at it. The NBA world condemned the controversy that sent the Rockets to Las Vegas as one of the final four teams remaining in the NBA Cup.
I can’t believe Bill Kennedy said that. I can’t believe GP2 didn’t call a timeout.
I can’t believe Steph took that shot instead of timing it.
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) December 12, 2024
Such a egregious foul required the Warriors to end a great game. It’s a loose ball! ! Of course we will contact you.
What the hell is Bill Kennedy doing?
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) December 12, 2024
You can’t call that Foul Billy. Oh my God!
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) December 12, 2024
Calling a foul on a loose ball is the worst way to end a game, especially since it was an aerial duel.
— Niko (@nikotaughtyou) December 12, 2024
I don’t think I ever saw a foul called there.
Once it hits the floor, there are usually no rules
— Raj C. (@RajChipalu) December 12, 2024
Really, and I say this in a very positive way. It was the best moment of Jaylen Green’s career so far. It happened on a hustle play where he went into the mud and got a loose ball. It was a ridiculous foul call, but he deserves a lot of props for getting it and sinking both FTs.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) December 12, 2024
A pure observation is:
When Gary Payton II picked up the loose ball, Fred VanVleet dove onto his back and grabbed his shoulder, but there was no foul.
The ball is loose again and Jaylen Green gets it. Jonathan Kuminga dives at him and grabs his shoulder, but is fouled.
pic.twitter.com/KWNyCFNceD
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) December 12, 2024
Billy, that’s not a foul. Call a jump ball and continue playing
— Dorell Wright 🏁 (@DWRIGHTWAY1) December 12, 2024
Steve Kerr couldn’t believe it when he heard the call.
The Warriors couldn’t believe the foul call.
pic.twitter.com/G1ELyehb2V
— TheHoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 12, 2024
What a terrible loss, even if the Warriors didn’t score in the final three minutes of the game. The Rockets advanced to the NBA Cup semifinals and will face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, December 14th at 8:30pm ET in Las Vegas.
