Nuggets Edge Rockets in Overtime After Controversial Late‑Foul Call

Nuggets Edge Rockets In OT After Controversial fourth-Quarter Foul; jokic Criticizes Officials

Denver pulled out a 128-125 overtime victory over Houston on Monday night in a thriller between two of the Western Conference’s best.A late fourth-quarter foul decision helped shape the final moments and sparked postgame debate about the officiating.

With 2.3 seconds left in regulation and Houston leading 117-116,Nuggets guard Tim Hardaway Jr. appeared to stumble while sprinting to chase the ball. A foul on Houston’s Amen Thompson during the inbound play was upheld after a coach’s challenge by Denver, sending Hardaway to the free-throw line and preserving possession for the Nuggets.

Denver tied the game when Hardaway knocked down the free throw and the Nuggets forced overtime after Nikola Jokic‘s long buzzer-beater attempt missed. Jokic later vented on the officiating,describing the game as among the most poorly officiated he has seen in a long time and taking aim at two referees as well as the crew chief.

In the extra period, Denver moved ahead with a 124-117 lead after Spencer Jones connected on a 3 with 2:59 remaining. Houston answered with a late push, trimming the deficit to three with 13 seconds left, but Alperen Şengün’s 24-foot attempt with 4.9 seconds remaining fell short, sealing the Nuggets’ victory.

Both teams traded blows throughout a high-scoring affair, underscoring the pressure that late-game decisions place on players, coaches, and officials alike. The result adds to a season full of close, high-caliber showdowns between two elite Western outfits.

Key Facts At A Glance

Fact	Detail
Final Score	Nuggets 128, Rockets 125 (OT)
Regulation Turn	A late foul on Amen Thompson during the inbound play after contact with Tim Hardaway Jr.; Hardaway made one free throw; Nuggets retained possession
OT Momentum	Spencer Jones hit a 3 to give Denver a 124-117 lead with 2:59 left
Final Shot	Jokic’s lengthy 3 at the buzzer missed; game headed to overtime
Postgame Critique	Nikola Jokic criticized the officiating, citing two referees and the crew chief

Evergreen Insight: What This Means For The Season

Contests decided by a single call highlight the ongoing impact of officiating on tight games. Teams increasingly rely on poise under pressure, precise execution during inbound sequences, and disciplined challenge usage to protect late leads. This game also illustrates how momentum can swing in the final seconds of regulation, pushing teams into an adrenaline-fueled overtime where every possession matters.

As the season unfolds, coaches and players will study these moments for actionable lessons-emphasizing ball security on inbound plays, cleaner contesting of drives, and a renewed focus on maintaining composure when calls go against a team.

Audience pulse: Your Take

What’s your view on late-game officiating in high-stakes games? How should teams adapt when a controversial call changes the rhythm of a matchup?

Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation with fellow basketball fans.

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Timestamp: 0:07 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Play Description: HoustonS Tari Eason drove to the basket, drawing a foul on Nuggets guard kent av‑Beverley. The foul was called on a seemingly clean block, awarding the Rockets two free throws.

Outcome: Eason converted both free throws, putting Houston up 112‑110. The Nuggets responded with a missed three‑pointer,and the Rockets secured the tie on a last‑second three‑point shot by Jalen Green,forcing overtime.

Officials Involved: referee Tim Giles (lead) and crew members Marcus Pettigrew & Sam Hench.

League Review: The NBA’s replay centre flagged the call as “questionable” but upheld the original decision as the foul occurred before the 0.5‑second review window.

Player Performances & Statistics

Player	Team	Points	Rebounds	Assists	Notable Highlights
Nikola Jokic	Nuggets	21	12	11	Triple‑double, crucial second‑half outlet
Jamal Murray	Nuggets	28	4	5	10‑point fourth‑quarter surge
Kent av‑Beverley	Nuggets	7	3	2	Defensive stopper, controversial foul
Kevin Porter Jr.	Rockets	26	5	3	Scored 12 points in the fourth quarter
Jalen Green	Rockets	24	3	2	Game‑tying three‑pointer with 0.3 sec left
Tari Eason	Rockets	14	8	1	Two decisive free throws after foul

Coaching Strategies & Adjustments

• Nuggets (Michael Miller):
• Implemented a high‑pick‑and‑roll with jokic and Murray in the final two minutes,forcing Houston to rotate defensively.
• Switched to a zone defense after Houston’s three‑point barrage, limiting open looks but leaving the paint vulnerable.

• Rockets (Ime Udoka):
• Utilized a “stretch‑four” lineup, positioning Jae Sean McKinney at the elbow to create spacing for Porter Jr.’s drives.
• Ordered a full‑court press after the Nuggets tied the game, generating the turnover that led to Green’s final shot.

Impact on Western Conference standings

• Denver Nuggets: Move to 7‑4, staying within two games of the top seed. The overtime win keeps their winning streak at three games.
• Houston Rockets: Drop to 5‑6, causing them to fall behind the Memphis Grizzlies in the chase for the play‑in spot.

Replay Review & League Response

• NBA’s Official Statement (Dec 16, 2025): “The foul call on Kent av‑Beverley was reviewed under the league’s standard protocols. While the play was close, the on‑court judgment stands as per the rulebook.”
• Potential Policy Discussion: The controversy has reignited debate over expanding the replay window for fouls occurring in the final 10 seconds of a game.

Game Summary & Final Score

• Date: december 15, 2025 (game posted 2025‑12‑16 10:55:05)
• Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
• Final Score: Denver Nuggets 124, Houston Rockets 121 (OT)
• Overtime Trigger: The game was tied 112‑112 after regulation, sending both teams to a five‑minute overtime period.

Key Moments Leading to Overtime

1. Frist half Surge – Nikola Jokic recorded a triple‑double (21 points,12 rebounds,11 assists) powering the Nuggets to a 58‑49 lead at halftime.
2. Rockets’ Rally – Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green combined for 28 points in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to three points (84‑87).
3. Jam‑Murray’s Clutch – With 2:15 left in the fourth, Jamal Murray hit a contested mid‑range jumper, tying the game at 107‑107.
4. Defensive Standoff – Both squads exchanged stops, and the score remained deadlocked until the final 12 seconds of regulation.

The Controversial late‑Foul Call

• Timestamp: 0:07 remaining in the fourth quarter.
• Play Description: Houston’s Tari Eason drove to the basket, drawing a foul on Nuggets guard Kent av‑Beverley. The foul was called on a seemingly clean block, awarding the Rockets two free throws.
• Outcome: Eason converted both free throws,putting Houston up 112‑110. The Nuggets responded with a missed three‑pointer, and the Rockets secured the tie on a last‑second three‑point shot by Jalen Green, forcing overtime.
• Officials Involved: Referee Tim Giles (lead) and crew members Marcus Pettigrew & Sam Hench.
• League Review: The NBA’s replay center flagged the call as “questionable” but upheld the original decision because the foul occurred before the 0.5‑second review window.

Player Performances & Statistics

Player	Team	Points	rebounds	Assists	Notable Highlights
Nikola Jokic	Nuggets	21	12	11	Triple‑double, crucial second‑half outlet
Jamal Murray	Nuggets	28	4	5	10‑point fourth‑quarter surge
Kent av‑Beverley	Nuggets	7	3	2	Defensive stopper, controversial foul
Kevin porter Jr.	Rockets	26	5	3	Scored 12 points in the fourth quarter
Jalen Green	Rockets	24	3	2	Game‑tying three‑pointer with 0.3 sec left
Tari eason	Rockets	14	8	1	Two decisive free throws after foul

Coaching Strategies & Adjustments

• Nuggets (michael Miller):
• Implemented a high‑pick‑and‑roll with Jokic and Murray in the final two minutes, forcing Houston to rotate defensively.
• Switched to a zone defense after Houston’s three‑point barrage, limiting open looks but leaving the paint vulnerable.

• Rockets (Ime Udoka):
• Utilized a “stretch‑four” lineup, positioning Jae Sean McKinney at the elbow to create spacing for Porter Jr.’s drives.
• ordered a full‑court press after the Nuggets tied the game, generating the turnover that led to Green’s final shot.

Impact on Western Conference Standings

• Denver Nuggets: Move to 7‑4, staying within two games of the top seed. The overtime win keeps their winning streak at three games.
• Houston Rockets: Drop to 5‑6, causing them to fall behind the Memphis Grizzlies in the chase for the play‑in spot.

Replay Review & League response

• NBA’s Official Statement (Dec 16, 2025): “The foul call on kent av‑Beverley was reviewed under the league’s standard protocols. While the play was close, the on‑court judgment stands as per the rulebook.”
• Potential policy Discussion: The controversy has reignited debate over expanding the replay window for fouls occurring in the final 10 seconds of a game.

Fan Reaction & Social Media Buzz

• Twitter Hashtag: #nuggetsedgerockets trended at #12 nationwide,with over 80 k mentions in the first hour.
• Key Sentiments:
• nuggets fans praised Murray’s “clutch mentality” and demanded a review of the foul.
• Rockets supporters defended the call, citing “clear contact” and celebrating the triumphant overtime push.
• Engagement Metrics: The game clip accumulated 2.3 million views on YouTube within 24 hours, with a 68% like‑to‑dislike ratio favoring the Rockets’ perspective.

Lessons Learned & Future Outlook

1. Close‑game Discipline: Both teams need tighter ball handling in the last minute to avoid forced fouls.
2. Strategic Foul Management: Coaches should educate players on drawing versus committing fouls in the final seconds, especially with the limited replay window.
3. Defensive Adaptability: The Nuggets might consider a hybrid man‑zone to protect the paint without sacrificing perimeter coverage.
4. Rockets’ Momentum: Capitalizing on the overtime win can boost confidence,but consistency against higher‑seeded opponents remains crucial for a playoff berth.

Key Takeaways for Readers

• The Nuggets’ overtime victory hinged on a controversial late‑foul call that sparked league‑wide discussion.
• Statistical leaders (Jokic’s triple‑double, Murray’s 28 points) underscore the importance of veteran performance in clutch scenarios.
• Standings implications highlight the thin margin separating playoff contenders in the Western Conference.
• Ongoing NBA policy debates may lead to future rule adjustments affecting end‑game foul reviews.