NBA report admits two missed calls late in Warriors-Rockets, but not one that set Steve Kerr off

Michael Nowels, Bay Area News Group on Dec 12, 2024

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Steve Kerr was extremely upset about a foul call late in the Warriors’ NBA Cup quarterfinal loss to the Rockets Wednesday night, and the NBA on Thursday confirmed the official’s call.

Jonathan Kuminga was called for a foul during a loose ball situation near the free-throw line on the Warriors’ offensive side of the court with 3.5 seconds left and Golden State leading by a point.

In a chaotic moment, Steph Curry took and missed a 3-pointer with 9 seconds left on the shot clock and 12 seconds to play, then Gary Payton II and Fred VanVleet went to the ground for the ball before Payton pushed it toward Kuminga near the free-throw line. Jalen Green cut in front of Kuminga to pounce on the ball and Kuminga made what appeared to be common contact with his shoulder as he reached to tie up the ball before the Rockets wing could take a timeout.

Referee Bill Kennedy called a foul on Kuminga, Green sunk both free throws and Jabari Smith Jr. blocked Brandin Podziemski’s last-second 3-point attempt to advance the Rockets to the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas this weekend.

Kennedy gave a simple explanation postgame to the pool reporter, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle: “The defender makes contact with the neck and shoulder area, warranting a personal foul to be called.”

The NBA’s Last Two Minute report released Thursday agreed: “Kuminga (GSW) reaches over Green (HOU) in an attempt to get to the ball and pulls his shoulder down.”

The report did identify two mistakes, one disadvantaging each team: Dillon Brooks should have received a defensive three-second violation with 1:41 left in the game, and Podziemski should have been assessed a five-second call before the Warriors’ final inbound pass.

The report also upheld the decision not to call a foul on VanVleet, who made contact with Payton as they both reached for the ball.

Beyond the ruling in the Last Two Minutes report, Kerr, who said the call was “unconscionable,” could face a significant fine for blasting the officials.

Kerr gave Houston credit for its defense that held Golden State to 90 points, but said his team deserved a chance to get a stop to win the game.

“That was taken from us by a call that I don’t think an elementary school referee would have made,” Kerr said, “because that guy would have had feel and said ‘You know what, I’m not going to decide the game on a call 80 feet from the basket.'”

Kerr said he didn’t challenge the call because he knew it would not be overturned: By the letter of the law, it was the right decision. He was correct.