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Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was fed up with the way the team’s overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets played out Monday night.
Nuggets star Nikola Jokic scored 39 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and dished out 10 assists in the 128-125 victory. Udoka expressed dismay at the team running the game, including the foul shots Jamal Murray took to tie the game at the end of regulation after an off-ball foul on Houston’s Amen Thompson.
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Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, right, talks with guard Josh Okogie (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
“Ticky Tack,” Udoka said of the foul that earned Murray free throw opportunities. “I followed the game tonight. I wasn’t surprised by the team we had there.
“Overall, I think it was a poorly refereed match that I have seen in a long time,” he added. “Both had no business being there and the crew chief acted stunned. I saw all kinds of inconsistent calls. I’m sure we should have called in a few more techs.”
The Rockets were called for 25 fouls and the Nuggets were hit with 28. However, Denver made 33 free throw attempts, compared to 26 for Houston. Jokic and Jonas Valanciunas committed a foul.
Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard, front, right, steals a pass intended for Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, as Houston center Steven Adams trails the play in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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The final 1:40 of regulation featured four ties and four lead changes, capped by Thompson’s foul on Murray – who had 35 points, five assists and three rebounds.
Denver had a seven-point lead in overtime, but Houston pulled back to within three with 13 seconds left. Alperen Sengun missed a contested 3-pointer from 24 feet with 4.9 seconds left. Sengun had 33 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds.
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant, right, passes the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Spencer Jones defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Kevin Durant added 25 points, seven assists, five rebounds and five blocks.
