The Golden State Warriors were eliminated from the Emirates NBA Cup, falling just short of a trip to Las Vegas in heartbreaking fashion.
With just 3.5 seconds remaining as the Warriors led the Houston Rockets 90-89, Jonathan Kuminga was called for a loose ball foul which sent Jalen Green to the line for two free throws. Green sunk both and the Rockets held on to win 91-90.
HOUSTON HAS THE LEAD AFTER THIS WILD SEQUENCE 😱 pic.twitter.com/vg6xPLZUBx
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 12, 2024
The foul call after a battle for the loose ball was questionable at best. The NBA world sounded off on the controversy which sent the Rockets to Las Vegas as one of the last four teams standing in the NBA Cup:
Can’t believe Bill Kennedy called that. Can’t believe GP2 didn’t call timeout.
Can’t believe Steph took that shot as opposed to working the clock
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) December 12, 2024
Such a horrendous foul call on the Warriors to end an awesome game. It’s a loose ball!! Of course there is contact.
What the hell are you doing Bill Kennedy?
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) December 12, 2024
You can’t call that damn Foul Billy. WTF
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) December 12, 2024
Calling a foul on a loose ball there is just a nasty way to end the game, especially since it was a dogfight.
— Niko (@nikotaughtyou) December 12, 2024
Don’t think I’ve ever seen a foul called there.
It’s usually no rules once it hits the floor
— Raj C. (@RajChipalu) December 12, 2024
Truly, and I mean this extremely positively: best moment of Jalen Green's career by far, and it came on a hustle play where he got into the mud and won a loose ball. Wild foul call but he deserves a ton of props for getting that one and sinking both FTs.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) December 12, 2024
Pure observations here:
Gary Payton II gets the loose ball, Fred VanVleet dives on his back and grabs his shoulder — no foul.
The ball gets loose again and Jalen Green gets it. Jonathan Kuminga dives on him and grabs his shoulder — foul.
pic.twitter.com/KWNyCFNceD
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) December 12, 2024
Billy you can’t call that a foul. Call jump ball and keep playing
— Dorell Wright 🏁 (@DWRIGHTWAY1) December 12, 2024
The call left Steve Kerr in utter disbelief:
The Warriors couldn’t believe the foul call.
pic.twitter.com/G1ELyehb2V
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 12, 2024
Even though the Warriors didn't score in the final three minutes of the game, what a horrendous way to lose. The Rockets advanced to the NBA Cup semifinals to play the Oklahoma City Thunder in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 8:30 p.m. ET.