Rockets coach Ime Udoka blasted off on the referees following Monday’s overtime loss to the Nuggets, calling it “just in general, the most poorly officiated game I’ve seen in a long time.”

Udoka specifically had grounds to be furious over two late calls made against Houston wing Amen Thompson, one in the closing seconds of regulation that allowed the Nuggets to tie the score and another costly one in overtime of an eventual 128-125 loss in Denver.
Amen Thompson reacts after a foul call at end of regulation of Rockets-Nuggets game.

“Two [officials] have no business being out there, and the crew chief [Zach Zarba] is acting starstruck,” Udoka said in postgame comments that likely will draw a fine from the league.

“So you’re seeing all kinds of inconsistent calls, and I’m sure we should’ve gotten a few more techs.”

The three-person officiating crew consisted of Zarba, a 22-year NBA veteran, plus Jamahl Ralls and Natalie Sago.

The Rockets led by one point with 2.3 seconds remaining when Thompson was whistled for a foul before a Denver inbounds play, leading to a game-tying free throw by Jamal Murray.

Thompson was called for another foul in overtime when it appeared he cleanly stripped the ball from Murray.

Asked what he said to his players after those calls, Udoka added, “Keep being who we are, we’re not gonna adjust to poor officials. So we’re gonna do what we do, and hopefully they can adjust and call it the right way.”
Ime Udoka torched the officials after the Rockets’ loss to the Nuggets on Dec. 15, 2025.

The game featured a heavyweight clash between All-Star big men Nikola Jokic and Alperen Sengun, with each player recording a 30-point triple-double in the contest.

Sengun missed a 3-pointer late in the extra session but he finished with 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, while Jokic posted a 39-15-10 stat line.