The Houston Rockets fell to the Sacramento Kings in a 120-111 defeat on Tuesday, but the spotlight of the night wasn’t just on the final score. Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was ejected late in the game after expressing his frustration with the officiating, particularly regarding missed calls on Alperen Sengun.
Udoka’s frustration boiled over after a series of plays where Sengun appeared to be fouled. The final straw came when Sengun attempted a layup that Udoka believed clearly warranted a foul call, but no whistles were blown. In the post-game press conference, Udoka didn’t hold back, criticizing the officials and detailing his heated exchange with the referee.
“Missed calls, blatant missed calls right in front of you. You’re calling ticky tack moving screens, little s— like that, but you don’t want to call the obvious ones right in front of you. That was it,” Udoka said.
"Blatant missed calls right in front of you. Ticky-tack moving screens and little sh*t like that… Get some f*cking glasses and open your eyes."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 4, 2024
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka RIPS refs following their loss to the Kings last night 👀pic.twitter.com/Q6YMkwycDE
“Thought [Sengun] got fouled a few times on that drive and on the layup, and they don’t want to call it. So I told him to get some f—–g glasses and open your eyes,” he added.
Ime Udoka Calls Out Referee John Goble After Rockets’ Loss To Kings
The loss against the Kings snapped the Rockets’ three-game winning streak. However, Houston managed their second spot in the West. Before the loss, Ime Udoka’s team won 10 of their last 12 games. In the postgame press conference, Udoka specifically called out referee John Goble.
“It’s obvious, right in front of you. John Goble or whoever it was sees it and doesn’t call it. I’m gonna let him know about it. They were missing calls all night, calling moving screens and every little touch call. Call the obvious one,” Udoka said.
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The Rockets will look to bounce back when they visit the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, December 5.