Picture Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

“Probably a couple seconds too early” – Stephen Curry speaks on controversial foul after losing Vegas ticket

Steph Curry finished the game with 19 points, three rebounds, and five assists while shooting 8-for-17.

Picture Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Golden State Warriors faced a heartbreak in the trip to Houston with a 91-90 loss. Rockets who had lost 15 games in a row against the Warriors, ended the streak in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. There was a big controversy on the final play of this game where a foul changed the narrative of the contest.

Jalen Green with the game-winning FTM in #EmiratesNBACup Quarterfinals action! pic.twitter.com/NXLNGilMcx
— NBA (@NBA) December 12, 2024

A loose foul handed a one-point loss to Warriors

The complete drama started with Stephen Curry missing a three-pointer with 12 seconds left in the game. A loose ball foul allowed Jalen Green to score two free throws. It eventually won the game for the Rockets. Officials called a foul on Jonathan Kuminga when Jalen Green dove on a loose ball.

“I don’t even understand what just happened,” Kerr said during the postgame conference. “To call a loose-ball foul on a jump-ball situation with guys diving on the floor, with a game on the line?” Kerr added. “This is a billion-dollar industry. People’s jobs are on the line. I’m stunned.”

Fourth quarter was dominated by the Warriors but a 9-2 run in the end assured Houston Rockets to clinch Las Vegas tickets. While talking with Jonathan Feigen, Crew Chief Billy Kennedy said of the controversial foul call, “The defender makes contact with the neck and shoulder area, warranting a personal foul to be called.”

Brett Siegel, National NBA Insider and Report, has given a good insight with two observations. Gary Payton II gets the loose ball, Fred VanVleet dives on his back and grabs his shoulder but it’s considered “no foul”. In the next possession, the ball gets loose again and Jalen Green gets it. Jonathan Kuminga dives on him and grabs his shoulder but it’s considered a “foul”.

“If I make it, we’re on a plane to Vegas” – Steph Curry

Warriors superstar Steph Curry opened up on a controversial finish and acknowledged his missing three-pointer where the Warriors had a chance to extend the lead with 12 seconds to go. Meanwhile, Golden State had an opportunity to close out the game but Smith blocked Brandin Podziemski’s 3-point attempt.

Steph Curry took a 3 up one with 9 on the shot clock and 12.5 on the game clock. Did he go too early or did he like the look?

“Both…Probably a couple seconds too early…If I make the shot, we’re on a plane to Vegas.” pic.twitter.com/nmI4Lda1Zx
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) December 12, 2024

“Probably a couple seconds too early,” Curry showed a bit disappointment of at not scoring a three-pointer in clutch time. “If I make it, we’re on a plane to Vegas. So I live with it. But tough way to end.”

Steph Curry finished the game with 19 points, three rebounds, and five assists while shooting 8-for-17. Before missing the crucial three-pointer in the clutch phase, Curry made three 3-Pointer out of eight. We can say that the 36-year-old guard pulled the trigger on a bad shot at the worst time.

What if Curry would have attempted that shot successfully? Warriors would have gone to semifinals with a four-point lead. There is an irony that Warriors are not going to Las Vegas due to a loose ball foul 80 feet from the basket. Steve Curry, and Steve Kerr both couldn’t believe what happened in the final seconds.

Golden State Warriors

Houston Rockets

Jalen Green

Jonathan Kuminga

NBA Cup

Steph Curry

Gulshan Sharma

nba

soccer

wnba

A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.