NBA referee Zach Zarba explained why Kevin Durant wasn’t assessed a technical foul near the end of overtime during the Houston Rockets’ 125-124 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday.
“None of the three game officials saw Kevin signal that timeout,” Zarba said in the pool report after the game. “That’s why it wasn’t granted before the expiration of time.”
With the score tied 115-115 towards the end of overtime, Durant grabbed a rebound and appeared to call a timeout when Houston didn’t have any left. If an official noticed him doing so, it would have resulted in a technical foul and one free throw for the Thunder.
Instead, time expired before Oklahoma City ultimately emerged victorious in double overtime.
Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander weighed in on the incident after the game.
“Kevin definitely called timeout about three times verbally and physically with his hands,” Gilgeous-Alexander told reporters. “I think the refs just missed it. That’s life. You make mistakes in life and you move on.”
The game came to a close after Alperen Şengün connected on a layup to give Houston a one-point lead with 11 seconds left in double overtime before Oklahoma City jumped back in front with a pair of free throws from Gilgeous-Alexander that gave him 35 points.
The Rockets ultimately couldn’t connect on a buzzer-beater to end the game, as Durant wasn’t on the floor during their final possession after fouling out.
Durant finished with 23 points and nine rebounds on 9-of-16 shooting in the loss.
