Rockets beat Warriors in controversial finish in NBA Cup quarterfinals

Jalen Green (Google Images)

We now know the four teams left in the 2024 NBA Cup. Joining the Milwaukee Bucks and Oklahoma City Thunder, who qualified for the semifinals on Tuesday, are the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks.

The Rockets defeated the Golden State Warriors 91-90 in a controversial quarterfinals finish on Wednesday. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was very disturbed that the officials called a loose ball personal foul against Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga with the Warriors leading 90-89. At the time of the foul, there were only three seconds left in the contest. Rockets shooting guard Jared Green made both free throws and the Rockets won by a single point when Warriors shooting guard Brandon Podziemski missed a game-winning three point attempt from 25 feet with two seconds left.

In Kerr’s defense, according to Brett Siegel of Clutch Points, Rockets star Fred VanVleet dove on the back and grabbed the shoulder of Gary Payton II of the Warriors, and was not called for a foul during the game. In Kerr’s post game statements, he stated he has never seen that type of foul called late in the game at the NBA level, and emphasized the fact the foul took place 80 feet from the basket.

Four Rockets reached double digits in scoring. Alperen Sengun of Giresun, Turkey had 26 points, Jabari Smith Jr. of Fayetteville, Georgia had 15 points, Green had 12 points, and Amen Thompson of Oakland, California had 10 points.

The Rockets will now face the Thunder in one of two NBA Cup semifinals. The other has the Bucks and Atlanta Hawks. In then other quarterfinal on Wednesday, the Hawks beat the New York Knicks 108-100.