Despite Steve Kerr’s objections, the NBA says the foul was correct in the final seconds of the Warriors’ loss to the Rockets

Despite Steve Kerr’s objections, the NBA says the foul was correct in the final seconds of the Warriors’ loss to the Rockets

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was angry about a foul in the final 3.5 seconds of Wednesday’s 91-90 loss to the Houston Rockets that tipped the balance in the outcome.

However, the NBA says the right decision was made.

With the Warriors holding a 90-89 lead, Stephen Curry missed a three-pointer and Gary Payton II grabbed the rebound on a loose ball run up the floor with 7.5 seconds left. Payton attempted a pass to Jonathan Kuminga, but Houston’s Jalen Green dived for the ball. Kuminga was then called for a foul as he attempted to recover the lost ball with 3.5 seconds left.

The Rockets were in the bonus, so Green got two free throws. The fourth-year star did both, giving Houston a 91-90 lead and eventual victory.

Kerr was outraged by the call during the game and had a lot to say about it afterward.

“A loose ball situation, 80 feet from the basket, the game is on the line.” he said to reporters. “I’ve never seen that before. I think I saw it once in college, 30 years ago. I’ve never seen it in the NBA. This is incomprehensible. I don’t even understand what just happened.”

Kerr continued that the game “was taken away from us by a decision that I don’t think an elementary school referee would have made.”

But crew chief Bill Kennedy said the right decision was made: tells Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle“The defender makes contact with the neck and shoulder area, which warrants a personal foul.”

HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 11: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors fouls Jalen Green #4 of the Houston Rockets during the second half of an NBA Emirates Cup quarterfinal game at Toyota Center on December 11, 2024 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 11: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors fouls Jalen Green #4 of the Houston Rockets during the second half of an NBA Emirates Cup quarterfinal game at Toyota Center on December 11, 2024 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

Houston’s Jalen Green and Golden State’s Jonathan Kuminga battle for a loose ball in the final seconds of the Rockets’ 91-90 victory over the Warriors on Wednesday. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

In the NBA’s Last 2-Minute Report released Thursday, the league agreed with the call, saying: “Kuminga (GSW) reaches over Green (HOU) to get the ball and pulls his shoulder down .”

Additionally, the 2 Minutes report states that Houston’s Fred VanVleet was correctly not warned for a foul when he collided with Payton as he attempted to attack the loose ball, saying, “VanVleet (HOU) makes clean contact.” the ball while Payton II (GSW) is executing the ball.”

The Last 2-Minute Report confirmed two missed calls in the last two minutes. The Rockets’ Dillon Brooks should have been called for a 3-second defensive violation with 1:41 to play. And with 3.5 seconds left, the Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski wasn’t called for a 5-second violation before hitting the ball downfield for Golden State’s final shot attempt.

This report is certainly no consolation for Kerr. The fine he is likely to receive for publicly criticizing officials after the game will also not apply.

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