In a highly anticipated match-up, the Rockets suffered a disappointing defeat at the hands of the Kings, which sparked significant dissatisfaction among the team regarding the referees' decisions. In the closing moments of the game, the Rockets had a strong chance to make a comeback, but the referees repeatedly called fouls against them, ultimately extinguishing any hope of a reversal.
This outcome left the players and coaches of the Rockets feeling unable to accept the result, leading them to openly express their frustration and disappointment with the refereeing. Head coach Udoka was the first to speak out, candidly stating that the referees' calls in the final moments were inconsistent with the standards set throughout the rest of the game. Foul calls that could have gone either way were instead decisively made against the Rockets, leaving them feeling wronged. Udoka's emotions were clearly heightened, and he even vented his anger by smashing the locker room after the game.
The Rockets' guards, Jalen Green and VanVleet, also voiced their discontent with the refereeing. Jalen Green believes that the team's loss was closely tied to the referees' calls, questioning why the Rockets were continuously penalized in the dying moments of the game. VanVleet was more direct in his criticism, suggesting that the referees were essentially ensuring the Kings' victory, leaving the entire team feeling disappointed and helpless.
Additionally, the performance of the Rockets' center, Shen Jing, came under scrutiny. In the crucial moments of the game, Shen Jing's screen quality was criticized as being too low; he failed to block the defender before choosing to cut down the lane, undoubtedly affecting the Rockets' opportunity to level the score. While the young players of the Rockets demonstrated a tenacious fighting spirit during the game, the weakness of their frontline remains an issue they cannot overlook. If they wish to win championships in future games, the Rockets must adjust their frontline personnel, bringing in a tougher interior player to bolster the team's strength.