In the final moments of a tense NBA Cup quarterfinal match, the Warriors faced disappointment when a controversial foul was called on Jonathan Kuminga against the Rockets.
Unexpected Call Shocks Fans
Typically, referees would call for a jump ball in situations where players are scrambling for possession. This time, however, referee Bill Kennedy surprised everyone by calling a foul on Kuminga. Steve Kerr was visibly upset and described the decision as an "unconscionable" call that even a beginner referee wouldn’t make at such a crucial moment. Read more here.
Kerr, who has been part of the NBA world for 40 years, expressed his disbelief at seeing such an unusual call during his career. He mentioned he only witnessed something similar once in college three decades ago. Watch Kerr’s reaction.
NBA Stands By Decision
Adding to their frustration, the NBA’s Last Two Minute Report (L2M) supported the referee’s decision. It explained that Kuminga had reached over Green while fighting for control of the ball, pulling down his shoulder in the process. The report also pointed out another error: Brandin Podziemski failed to inbound within five seconds after Greenโs free throws.
Fans feel like this call was unfair and changed everything about how we saw that game.
Warriors’ Late Game Struggles
While many believe that officiating errors hurt the Warriors’ chances, it’s important to remember they let slip a six-point lead in just over three minutes left on the clock. During this period, they failed to score and committed several shot-clock violationsโsomething not seen from them in two decades during regular season play.
Despite all these dramatic twists and turns on court it seems like both human error and technical issues played roles in this unforgettable game night!
