12/12/2024
After the game, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr harshly criticized the referees in a fiery post-game rant.
"I've never seen a loose ball foul called during a jump ball, 80 feet from the basket, with the game on the line," Kerr said. "Never. Maybe once in college 30 years ago, but never in the NBA. It's absolutely absurd."
Kerr didn't hold back, arguing that the referees should have awarded the Rockets a timeout instead of free throws. He felt the call was inconsistent with how the rest of the game had been officiated, describing it as a "wrestling match." Kerr concluded his rant with a scathing remark, suggesting even elementary school referees wouldn’t have made that call.
"I can't wrap my head around what just happened," Kerr said. "Loose ball, players diving on the floor, 80 feet from the basket, and you decide the game with free throws? Just give them a timeout. Especially since the entire game felt like a wrestling match. This is a billion-dollar league with people's jobs on the line. I’m stunned. Credit to the Rockets for fighting back, but I feel bad for our guys. Honestly, I don’t think even an elementary school official would’ve made that call."