Oct 21, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) smiles after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

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Why Kevin Durant Avoided a Technical Foul Against the Thunder ?

Kevin Durant avoided a technical foul against the Thunder after calling for a timeout his team didn’t have.

With the score tied at 115–115 and just 2.2 seconds left in the first overtime, Kevin Durant grabbed a rebound off a blocked shot by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — then gestured to call a timeout.

The problem? Houston didn’t have any left.

According to NBA rules, that should have resulted in a technical foul against Durant, giving the Thunder one free throw and possession of the ball. But no whistle came. Nothing. Total silence.

Play continued, the buzzer sounded, and the game moved into a second overtime, one that Oklahoma City eventually won 125–124.

What the Rule Says

The rule is crystal clear. In the official NBA rulebook (2025–26, Rule No. 12), it states:

“Requests for a timeout in excess of the authorized number shall be granted, and a technical foul shall be assessed. Following the timeout and free-throw attempt, the ball will be awarded to the team which shot the free throw, and play shall resume with a throw-in nearest the spot where play was interrupted.”

In other words, Houston should have been penalized immediately, and Oklahoma City would have received a free throw plus possession with just two seconds remaining.

A sequence that could have ended the game right there — without the need for double overtime.

The Referees’ Explanation

After the game, crew chief Zach Zarba offered a brief explanation for the lack of a call:

“None of the three referees saw Kevin make the timeout gesture. That’s why it wasn’t granted before the end of regulation,” he said.

A technical answer, perhaps, but one that didn’t sit well with Thunder players, who were visibly stunned after the game.

A Sense of Déjà Vu: Remembering the “Chris Webber Moment”

For longtime basketball fans, the scene immediately brought back memories of a legendary — and painful — moment in college basketball history: the 1993 NCAA Championship game.

That night, Michigan’s Chris Webber infamously called a timeout his team didn’t have, resulting in a technical foul that sealed North Carolina’s victory (77–71).

The difference? In 1993, the referees saw the gesture. On Tuesday night, they didn’t.

A Harmless Mistake… But a Revealing One

Fortunately for the NBA, this officiating error didn’t alter the outcome: the Thunder ultimately prevailed after a fierce battle, capped by Jabari Smith Jr.’s missed shot at the buzzer.

Still, the incident reignites debate about the consistency of officiating — and the thin margin between human error and historic moments in the game of basketball.

Credit Photo: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Kevin Durant

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Charles Taudin

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Global Editorial Chief of The Playoffs, I created The Free Agent, which became The Playoffs FR, in 2020 during the pandemic. A longtime fan of the four major American sports, I now oversee the editorial strategy and social media for all versions of The Playoffs. I still occasionally write about sports I’m particularly passionate about, such as the NFL or MLB. If there’s one thing you should remember: Eli Manning is the true GOAT for beating Tom Brady twice.